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PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN 

Journal  and   Letters 
1767—1774 


/.  >1/.J'I 


Old  Poplar  Avenue  at  Nomini  Hall 


(^  DEC  23  1931  ^ 

PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN 

JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS 

1767—1774 


STUDENT    AT    PRINCETON    COLLEGE    I77O-72    TUTOR    AT 
NOMINI    HALL    IN    VIRGINIA    1 773-74 


EDITED    FOR 

THE   PRINCETON   HISTORICAL  ASSOCIATION 

BY 

JOHN   ROGERS  WILLIAMS 


Prinxeton   N.  J. 

The  University  Library 

1900 


Copyright,  igoo,  by 
The  Princeton  University  Library 


C.  S.  Robinson  &f  Co.   University  Press 
Princeton  N.  J. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

Introduction xi-xxi 


PRINCETONIANA 

Philip  Fithian  to  his  father,  Joseph  Fithian.  asking  to 

be  sent  to  schooi i 

Philip  Fithian  to  his  father,  Joseph  Fithian,  giving  him 

thanks  for  being  sent  to  school 3 

Philip  Fithian  to  his  father,  Joseph  Fithian,  describ- 
ing   THE    life    and    customs    AT    PRINCETON    COLLEGE    .     .  6 

Hannah  Fithian  to  her  son,  Philip  Fithian,  at  Prince- 
ton College lo 

Hannah  Fithian  to  her  son,  Philip  Fithian 1 1 

The  Cliosophian  Club  in  distress.    An  Essay 13 

John  McCalla  to  Philip  Fithian 15 

Philip  Fithian  to  his  mother,  Hannah  Fithian 16 

Philip  Fithian  to  his  father,  Joseph  Fithian 18 

Extract   from   an   oration   on   "  Fashions,"   pronounced 

AT  Nassau  Hall,  January    15,  1772 19 

Andrew  Hunter,  Sr.,  to  Philip  Fithian.  acquainting   him 

of  the  death  of  his  parents 20 

Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to  Philip  Fithian.  Religious  re- 
vivals AT  Princeton  College 21 

An  exercise  at  the  public  commencement  at  Princeton 

College,  September  10,  1772 22 


VI  CONTENTS 

PAGB 

Dr.  John  Beatty  to  Philip  Fithian 27 

Oliver  Reese  to  Philip  Fithian.  Friendship  and  Gossip,  27 
Andrew    Hunter,  Jr.,  to    Philip    Fithian.      Dr.   Wither- 

spoon's  lectures 28 

Israel  Evans  to  Philip  Fithian.     Princeton  news.     The 

practice  of  stealing  turkies 30 

Oliver  Reese  to  Philip  Fithian.     Friendship  and  Gossip.  31 

William  Smith  to  Philip  Fithian.  Princeton  news  .  ,  32 
Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to  Philip  Fithian,  acquainting  him 

WITH  the  opportunity  OF  GOING  TO  VIRGINIA  AS  A  TUTOR.  35 

Philip    Fithian   to   Andrew    Hunter,  Jr.,   in    regard   to 

ACCEPTING    a    position    IN    VIRGINIA 36 

William  Smith  to  Philip  Fithian.  Princeton  news.  Im- 
provements IN  the  town 38 

Philip  Fithian  to  Dr.  Witherspoon.     Dissatisfaction  of 

his  relations  upon  his    going   to  Virginia 40 

Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to  Philip  Fithian.    Princeton  news.      41 

William  Smith  to  Philip    Fithian  ;    an    account   of   the 

commencement  at  Princeton  College  in  1773  ....      42 

JOURNAL  IN  VIRGINIA 

Journal  of  Philip  Fithian,  October  20,  1773,  to  Octo- 
ber 25,   1774  45 

LETTERS   FROM   VIRGINIA 

To  the  Rev.  Enoch  Green.     Arrival  in  Virginia  ....    277 
To  the  Rev.  Enoch  Green.     A   description   of   Council- 
lor Carter's  family  and  the  neighborhood    ....    278 
To   THE    Rev.   Andrew    Hunter,    Sr.     The   Boston    Port 
Bill.      Sympathy  of   the  Virginians  and  the  disso- 
lution  OF   their   Assembly 280 


CONTENTS  VII 

PACK 

To  John  Peck,  in  regard  to  his  succession  as  tutor  at 

NoMiNi  Hall 282 

To  George  Lee,  declining  an  invitation 283 

To   John    Peck,   upon   his   going  to   Virginia    as    tutor, 
acquainting  him  with  the  manners  and  customs  of 

THE  Virginians 283 

To  Peletiah  Webster.     The  reigning  spirit,  Liberty  .   .  298 

To  Nathaniel  Donnald,  Jr.     Love  for  solitude   ....  299 

To  John  McCalla,  Jr.     The  Congress 300 

To  Harry  Willis   and   Robert  Carter,  Jr.      Permission 

to  attend  a  race 301 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

Facing  Page 

Old  Poplar  Avenue  at  Nomini   Hall Frontispiece. 

Nassau  Hall.     [From  an   engraving   by  Doolittle] 6 

Old  Longstreet  House.     Princeton,  N.  J 36 

Old  Yeoco.mico   Church.      Westmoreland   County,  Virginia    .  51 

Robert  Carter — The  Councillor.     [Portrait   by  Reynolds]  83 

(From  Some  Colonial  Mansions  by  Thomas  Allen  Glenn) 

Mrs.  Robert  Carter 102 

(From  Some  Colonial  Mansions  by  Thomas  Allen  Glenn) 

Northern  Neck  of  Virginia 170 

(From  Chart  of  Virginia  in  Jefferson  s  Notes,   1801) 

Mount  Airy.     Richmond  County,  Virginia 220 


INTRODUCTION 


INTRODUCTION 

Philip  Vickers  Fithian  was  born  December  29th, 
1747;  was  a  student  at  Princeton  College,  1770-72,  at 
the  same  time  with  Henry  Lee,  Aaron  Burr,  and  James 
Madison;  studied  theology  i772-'73;  taught  in  Vir- 
ginia, i773-'74;  and  was  sent  as  a  missionary  among 
the  pioneer  settlers  of  Western  Virginia  and  Pennsyl- 
vania, i775-'76.  Returning,  he  enlisted  as  chaplain  in 
Heard's  brigade  of  New  Jersey  militia,  July  12th,  1776, 
served  under  Washington  during  the  battles  of  Long 
Island  and  Harlem  Heights,  sickened  of  a  camp  epi- 
demic, and  died  near  Fort  Washington,  October  8th, 
1776. 

Philip  Fithian's  papers  have  been  carefully  pre- 
served in  the  family,  and  are  now  the  property  of  Mrs. 
Edward  W.  Hitchcock^  of  Philadelphia,  a  descendant 
of  the  Fithian  family,  through  whose  courtesy  this 
selection  is  now  published. 

The  papers  consist  of  seven  manuscript  volumes, 
containing  Fithian's  diary  from  i766-'67,  and  from 
1773-76,  together  with  school  and  college  exercises, 
problems,  orations,  and  letter-books.  They  are  at 
present  deposited  in  the  Princeton  University  Library 
for  transcription.  It  was  probably  owing  to  the  private 
nature  of  many  of  the  letters  addressed  to  "a  young 
lady  under  the  name  of  Laura"  (Elizabeth  Beatty), 
whom  Fithian  afterwards  married,  that  these  papers 
have  not  heretofore  been  published. 

The  volume  now  published  covers  the  period  1767- 

'  Mrs.  Hitchcock  died  August  15th,  1900,  while  this  book  was  in  press. 


XIV  INTRODUCTION 

1773,  and  contains  the  Journal,  together  with  a  selec- 
tion from  the  correspondence,  of  Philip  Fithian  during 
the  period  while  he  was  a  student  at  Princeton  College, 
and  afterwards  while  he  was  tutor  in  the  family  of 
"Councillor"  Robert  Carter  of  Virginia.^ 

Many  of  the  letters  being  of  too  intimate  and  per- 
sonal or  too  trivial  a  character  for  publication,  the  aim 
has  been  in  general  to  present  such  as  have  some  bear- 
ing on  historic  places  or  personages,  together  with 
representative  ones  showing  his  own  character  and 
circumstances.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  Fithian 
appears  to  have  given  up  his  diary  during  the  two 
years  while  he  was  a  student  at  Nassau  Hall,  but  his 
correspondence  of  those  days,  containing  as  it  does  an 
interesting  description  of  Princeton,  its  college  life  and 
quaint  customs,  and  "the  sundry  and  wanton  mis- 
chiefs "  practiced  with  all  the  zest  of  more  modern 
years,  partly  fills  the  gap. 

The  following  sketch  of  the  ancestry  and  life  of 
Philip  Fithian  is  furnished  by  Miss  Mary  C.  Fithian 
of  Greenwich,  New  Jersey,  to  whom  the  editor  feels 
indebted  for  interesting  and  valuable  data  concerning 
this  journal : 

"  The  earliest  historj-  that  we  have  of  the  Fithian  family  is  of 
William  Fithian  and  Margaret  his  wife,  who  came  from  England  and 
settled  in  East  Hampton,  in  1640  .  .  .  Their  children  were,  ist,  Enoch, 
who  married  M.  Burnet  of  South  Hampton  ;  2nd,  Samuel,  who  married 
Priscilla  Burnet  of  the  same  place ;  3rd.  Sarah  ;  4th,  Hannah  :  sth, 
Martha. 

"  Samuel,  the  second  son,  is  the  connecting  link  between  William 
and    Margaret    of    East    Hampton,    and    the    Fithians   of    Cumberland 

'  Selections  from  the  Virginia  journal  of  Philip  Fithian  appeared  in  the 
American  Historical  Review  for  January,  1900,  with  notes  by  Prof.  J.  Frank- 
lin Jameson  and  the  editor  of  the  present  work.  With  this  exception,  and 
with  the  exception  also  of  a  few  extracts  relating  to  his  missionary  journey  and 
to  the  Cohansey  Tea  Party,  no  considerable  portions  of  the  papers  of  Fithian 
have,  so  far  as  the  editor  can  find,  ever  heretofore  been  printed. 


INTRODUCTION  XV 

County,  New  Jersey.  The  children  of  Samuel  and  Priscilla  Burnet 
Fithian  were,  ist,  John;  2nd,  Josiah  ;  3rd,  Samuel;  4th,  Esther ;  5th, 
Mathias  ;  6th,  William  .  .  . 

"  Josiah,  the  second  son,  setded  in  Greenwich,  Cumberland  County, 
New  Jersey.  He  was  married  to  Sarah  Dennis  of  Greenwich,  Nov. 
7th,  1706.  Their  children  were,  ist,  John;  2nd,  Jeremiah;  3rd,  Sam- 
uel; 4th,  Hannah:  5th,  Esther;  6th,  Joseph;  7th,  Sarah;  8th,  Josiah. 

*'  Joseph  Fithian,  fourth  son  of  Josiah  and  Sarah  Fithian,  married 
Hannah  Vickers.  July  31st.  1746.  Their  eldest  son.  Philip  Vickers 
Fithian,  was  born  December  29th,  1747,  and  married  Elizabeth,  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Charles  Beatty,  October  25th,  1775. 

"  He  was  more  than  a  year  private  tutor  in  the  family  of  Colonel 
Carter  of  Virginia.  In  connection  with  his  cousin,  Joel  Fithian,  his 
classmate  Andrew  Hunter,  and  near  forty  other  young  men,  disguised 
as  Indians,  he  assisted,  Nov.  22d,  1774,  in  burning  a  cargo  of  tea  that 
had  been  stored  in  Greenwich,  on  Cohansey  Creek. 

"  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia,  Dec.  6th, 
1774,  and  was  employed  that  winter  in  vacancies  in  West  Jersey.  He 
was  appointed  chaplain  of  the  army  early  in  1776.  At  the  battle  of 
White  Plains  it  is  said  he  fought  in  the  ranks.  Shortly  after  he  was 
attacked  with  dysentery,  brought  on  by  exposure  in  camp,  and  died 
October  8th,  1776,  buried  October  gth.  Rev.  William  Hollingshead  con- 
ducting the  services." 

Elizabeth,  widow  ol  Philip  Fithian,  afterward  mar- 
ried his  cousin  Joel.  Their  youngest  son,  Dr.  Enoch 
Fithian,  inherited  Philip  Fithian's  journal  and  letters, 
and  at  his  death  left  them  to  his  cousin,  Mrs.  Hitchcock. 

Dr.  Joseph  Fithian  of  Woodbury,  New  Jersey,  a 
nephew  of  Philip  Fithian,  in  a  note  appended  to  one  of 
the  manuscript  volumes,  says  of  the  orthography  and 
punctuation : 

"This  Journal  and  these  letters  of  Philip  Vickers  Fithian  were 
transcribed  by  his  brother  Enoch,  who,  though  a  good  and  ready  writer, 
was  in  other  respects  not  well  educated  :  and  this  will  account  for  many 
errors  in  orthography,  punctuation,  the  placing  of  capital  letters,  &c.,&c. 
Enoch  Fithian  was  a  long  time  confined  in  consequence  of  a  disease  of 
one  of  his  lower  extremities,  and  being  disabled  in  consequence  from 
the  performance  of  more  active  service,  employed  himself  in  copying, 
from  loose  and  various  sized  papers,  the  matter  in  this  and  several  other 
volumes." 

Philip  Fithian's  impressions  of  the  life  and  customs 
of  the  Old  Dominion  are  most  frank  and  pleasing.      A 


XVI  INTRODUCTION 

comparison  of  the  social  conditions  existing  in  Virginia 
and  in  his  native  province  of  New  Jersey,  given  at 
some  length  in  a  letter  (pp.  283-298)  of  advice  and 
instruction  prepared  for  John  Peck,  his  successor  as 
tutor  at  Councillor  Carter's,  is  especially  interesting. 
The  value  of  this  letter  is  enhanced  by  the  fact  of  its 
being  the  candid  expression  of  the  experience  and 
observation  of  a  year's  residence  in  a  community  whose 
social  relations  differed  radically  from  the  quiet  home 
life  in  New  Jersey,  a  statement  not  prepared  for  publi- 
cation, but  written  confidentially  to  a  fellow-student 
and  townsman.  Situated  as  he  was  at  Nomini  Hall,  in 
Westmoreland  County,  a  focus  for  the  wit  and  fashion 
of  the  neighborhood,  he  became  at  once  a  frequent 
guest  at  the  homes  of  some  of  the  best  and  most  influ- 
ential families  in  the  colony,  among  whom  were  the 
Lees  of  Stratford,  Lee  Hall,  and  Chantilly,  the  Wash- 
ingtons  of  Bushfield,  the  Turbervilles  of  Hickory  Hill 
and  Peckatone,  and  the  Tayloes  of  Mount  Airy.  The 
account  which  he  gives  is  a  most  delightful  picture  of 
the  social  life  of  the  period,  of  refinement  and  culture, 
of  elegance  of  living  and  lavish  hospitality,  of  balls 
and  fox-hunts,  and  an  almost  constant  round  of  enter- 
tainments. 

But  those  days  are  gone.  A  century  and  a  quarter 
has  passed  and  left  behind  the  ineffaceable  trace  of  war 
and  its  consequent  desolation.  As  Mr.  Churchill  has 
written  in  his  Foreword  to  Richard  Carvel,  "  The  lively 
capital  that  once  reflected  the  wit  and  fashion  of  Europe 
has  fallen  in  decay.  The  silent  streets  no  more  echo 
with  the  rumble  of  coaches  and  gay  chariots,  and  grass 
grows  where  busy  merchants  trod.  Stately  ballrooms, 
where  beauty  reigned,  are  cold  and  empty  and  mildewed, 
and   halls   where    laughter   rang  are    silent."       Bishop 


INTRODUCTION  xvil 

Meade,  writing  in  185001  theruinsof  building's  in  West- 
moreland County,  says  in  his  Old  Churches  and  Families 
of  Virginia:^  "  By  reason  of  the  worth,  talents,  and 
patriotism  which  once  adorned  it,  it  was  called  the 
Athens  of  Virginia.  But  how  few  of  the  descendants 
of  those  who  once  were  its  ornaments  are  now  to  be 
found  in  it!  Chantilly,  Mount  Pleasant,  Wakefield, 
are  now  no  more.  Stratford  alone  remains.  Where 
now  are  the  venerable  churches?  .  .  .  Yeocomico  alone 
survives  the  general  wreck.  Of  mansions,  churches, 
etc.,  we  are  tempted  to  say,  '  Fuit  Illium,  et  ingens 
gloria  Dardanidum;'  and  yet  we  rejoice  to  think  that 
new  ones  have  taken  their  places,  .  .  .  and  we  trust 
there  awaits  for  Westmoreland  a  greater  glory  than 
the  former." 

Of  the  old  buildings  at  Nomini  Hall,  nothing  now 
remains.  The  great-house  was  destroyed  b}^  fire  in 
1850,  after  having  withstood  the  storms  of  above  an 
hundred  winters.  The  noble  old  mansion  was  built  by 
the  Councillor's  father,  Robert  Carter,  a  son  of  the 
great  "King"  Carter  of  Corotoman,  between  the  years 
1725-32.  Robert  Carter  (the  Councillor),  an  only  son, 
inherited  this  and  a  large  estate  comprising,  as  Fithian 
tells  us,  some  sixty  thousand  acres,  lying  in  different 
parts  of  the  Province  and  in  Maryland. 

Glenn,  in  his  Some  Colonial  Mansions,"  says  that  the 
Nomini  Hall  estate  consisted  of  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred acres,  and  that  the  dwelling-house  was  built  in 
1732.  He  also  states^  that  Colonel  (Councillor)  Carter, 
writing  in  1776,  speaks  of  himself  as  paying  to  "Lord 
Fairfax  quit  rents  for  sixty-three  thousand  and  ninety- 
three  acres,    situate   in  his  Lordship's  territory,  called 

'  V.  II,  pp.  1 70-1  71. 

'  V.  I,  p.  278.  '  V.  I,  p.  277. 


xvni  INTRODUCTION 

the  Northern  Neck,  which  territory  contains  all  my 
land  within  the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia." 

Fithian  mentions  land  "far  to  the  west"  near  the 
Great  Meadows  and  Bull  Run ;  if  this  be  true,  it  is 
more  than  likely  that  the  Councillor,  who  undoubtedl}- 
saw  the  coming  rupture  with  the  mother  country, 
wisely  sold  or  exchanged  it  for  property  nearer  home. 

In  1749  Robert  Carter  visited  England,  and  while 
there  had  his  portrait'  painted  by  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds. 
Soon  after  his  return  to  Virginia,  he  married  Frances 
Ann  Tasker,  youngest  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Benjamin 
Tasker  of  Maryland,  the  ceremony,  an  account  of  which 
is  to  be  found  in  the  Maryland  Gazette  for  April  4th  of 
that  year,  taking  place  at  Annapolis,  April  2,  1754. 

Robert  Carter's  duties  as  a  member  of  the  Council 
required  his  presence  at  least  twice  a  year  at  Williams- 
burg, and  in  1761  he  moved  to  that  town  with  his 
family,  where  he  resided  for  eleven  years.  Tiring, 
however,  of  the  gay  Virginia  capital,  and  longing  for 
the  quiet  life,  the  green  fields,  and  sunny  slopes  of 
Nomini  Hall,  he  removed  thither  in  1772.  Doubtless, 
too,  the  change  in  politics  which  had  begun  to  be  felt, 
hastened  this  departure ;  but  the  Councillor  cared  little 
for  the  gayeties  of  the  town  with  its  whirl  of  social 
duties,  ever  preferring  a  quiet  evening  in  his  study, 
surrounded  b}'  his  books  and  music,  to  the  pleasures  of 
ball  or  rout. 

Robert  Carter's  attitude  toward  the  initial  steps  in 
the  great  movement  for  independence,  has  led  many  to 
suppose  him  to  have  been  a  Tory.  But  this  is  not  the 
case.  From  the  most  reliable  sources  of  information,  it 
is  clearly  shown  that  though  opposed  to  measures  of 
violence  while  they  might  be  averted,  in  the  redress  of 

'  Reproduced  by  permission,  p.  83. 


INTRODUCTION  xix 

wrongs;  when  the  blow  was  struck  and  the  rupture 
between  King  and  Colonies  made  irreconcilable  save  by 
force  of  arms,  no  one  was  more  convinced  than  Robert 
Carter  of  the  justice  of  the  colonists'  cause,  which  he 
thenceforth  openly  espoused. 

This  attitude  is  well  shown  by  an  address  to  his 
slaves  and  their  overseer  on  one  of  his  plantations  (Coles 
Point),  upon  a  threatened  incursion  by  Lord  Dunmore, 
in  1776,  which  address  was  preserved  by  Councillor 
Carter  in  one  of  his  letter-books,  and  is  given  at  length 
bv  Glenn  in  his  Some  Colonial  Mansio)is}  In  this  speech 
the  Councillor  observes  that  "the  King  of  Great  Britain 
had  declared  war  against  the  people  of  the  Colony  of 
Virginia,  Massachusetts  Bay,  .  .  .  that  many  of  the 
people  in  Great  Britain  disapproved  of  the  present  dis- 
pute between  them  and  the  13  United  Colonies  in  North 
America,  and  had  refused  to  enlist  as  soldiers;  there- 
fore the  King  of  G.  B.  had  employed  foreign  soldiers 
to  iight  for  him  against  us"  .  .  .  etc.,  thus  clearly  ally- 
ing himself  with  the  cause  for  which  George  Wythe, 
Peyton  Randolph,  and  Richard  Henry  Lee — warm  per- 
sonal friends — were  risking  life  and  fortune. 

Robert  Carter's  liberality  is  a  matter  of  record. 
In  later  years  he  emancipated  and  provided  for  many 
of  his  slaves,  and  his  generosity  and  kindness  to  Selim, 
the  unfortunate  Algerine,  is  spoken  of  by  Bishop  Meade 
in  his  Old  Churches  and  Families  of  Virginia  ;'^  but  it 
was  toward  the  itinerant  clerg}^  that  he  exercised  an 
almost  unbounded  liberality.  Toward  the  close  of  his 
life  the  subject  of  religion  seems  to  have  engrossed  his 
whole  attention.  Abandoning  the  Church  of  England, 
the  religion  of  his  fathers,  he  became  a  Baptist,  fitting 
out  a   chapel   in  his   own   house  at   Nomini,   where  he 

*  V.  I,  p.  271,  et  seq.  '  V.  I,  pp.  345-346. 


XX  INTRODUCTION 

entertained  their  preachers,  many  of  whom,  we  are 
told,  were  supported,  and  in  some  cases  educated  by 
him.  After  a  time  he  adopted  the  creed  of  Sweden- 
borg,  and  in  the  end,  as  Meade  quaintly  expresses  it, 
died   "an  unhappy,  death-dreading  Papist." 

A  true  and  courteous  gentleman,  kind  and  gener- 
ous to  a  fault,  good  but  eccentric,  Robert  Carter's  life 
stands  for  much  that  was  the  best,  with  but  few  of  the 
foibles  of  his  time. 

In  the  editorial  work  on  this  volume,  there  has 
been  an  earnest  effort  to  avoid  inaccuracies  in  the 
genealogical  and  historical  references,  but  the  extreme 
difficulty  of  obtaining  correct  data  for  such  work  can 
only  be  appreciated  by  one  who  has  himself  endeavored 
to  untangle  the  web  of  Virginia  genealogy  of  the  seven- 
teenth and  eighteenth  centuries.  In  those  days  family 
records  were  loosely  kept,  if  kept  at  all,  and  unfor- 
tunately are  seldom  free  from  erroi". 

Among  the  works  that  have  proved  of  assistance 
in  compiling  the  notes  for  this  volume  are:  Maclean's 
History  of  ilic  College  of  New  Jersey  ;  Hageman's  Prince- 
ton and  its  Institutions ;  Lee's  Lee  of  Virginia  ;  Glenn's 
Some  Colonial  Mansions  ;  the  Virginia  Historical  Collec- 
tions ;  Elmer's  History  of  Cumberland  County  (N.  J.); 
the  Carter  Family  Chart,  prepared  by  R.  R.  Carter,  of 
Shirley,  Virginia;  the  Bcatty  Family  Record,  compiled  by 
Charles  C.  Beatty;  The  Pennsylvania  Gazette  oi  1770-' 71, 
and  Appleton's  Cyclopcedia  of  American  Biography. 

The  editor  is  indebted  for  valuable  data  and  in- 
formation to  Miss  Mary  C.  Fithian,of  Greenwich,  New 
Jersey;  Mrs.  Edward  Hitchcock,  of  Philadelphia;  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Brown,  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia;  Mr. 
Henry  Tayloe,  Richmond  County,  Virginia;  President 
Lyon   G.  Tyler,  of  William  and  Mary  College;    Prof. 


INTRODUCTION  xxi 

f.  Franklin  Jameson.  Brown  University;  and  to  the 
courtesy  of  the  Libraries  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  all  of 
which  indebtedness  is  most  gratefully  acknowledged. 

John  Rogers  Williams. 

University  Libkary,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  Junk  20th,  ujoo. 


PRINCETONIANA 
1767— 1773 


PHILIP  VICKERS    FITHIAN 

JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS 

1767— 1774 

A  letter^  to  my  Father,  begging  him  to  put  me  to 
School:    Written  August  10'.'^  1767,  at  Greenwich. 

Very  dear  Father, 

Relying  on  the  Affection  of  a  Parent,  I  have  in  this 
manner,  with  all  due  Submission,  but  at  the  same  time 
with  the  strongest  Desire  of  obtaining  my  Purpose, 
attempted  to  intreat  your  Encouragement  &  Assistance 
in  getting  me  put  to  School. 

The  very  great  Inclination  I  find  in  myself  to 
improve  in  Learning  is  the  chief  motive  that  excites 
me  to  offer  this  Petition,  and  even  this  would  have  been 
insufficeant,  had  I  any  remote  expectation  of  another 
Oppertunity,  if  the  one  which  now  offers  should  be 
laid  aside  ;  And  inasmuch  as  this  is  quite  an  unexpected, 
&  most  likely,  the  only  oppertunity  I  shall  ever  have, 

^  This  and  the  succeeding  letter  show  Fithian's  strong  desire  for  learning, 
quite  remarkable  in  those  days.  The  following  is  taken  from  a  juvenile  diary, 
kept  by  Fithian  prior  to  his  entering  Princeton  College  : — 

"  Tuesday  August  loth.  (1767) 
' '  This  morning  I  had  the  gracious  and  agreeable  news  from  my  Father  that 
next  week  I  am  to  go  to  school  to  Mr.  Green     .     ... 

"     Monday  17th. 

"  I  entered  school  to  the  Rev.  Enoch  Green  at  Deerfield  to  learn  Latin." 

This  diary  is  not  of  enough  general  interest  to  warrant  printing  as  a  whole 
in  this  volume. 


2  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1767 

of  acquiring  that,  which  through  my  whole  Life  I  have 
most  desired,  I  hope  I  shall  be  justified,  dear  Father, 
in  pleading  with  you  as  earnestly  as  I  am  able,  to  grant 
me  my  Request. 

When  you  was  pleased  the  other  Day,  which  was 
almost  before  I  had  heard  anything  of  the  Matter,  to 
ask  me  whether  I  was  desirous  of  Learning;  &  if  I 
could  compose  myself  to  study?  I  could  have  then, 
dear  Sir,  immediately  without  any  hesitation  answered 
the  first  question;  for  it  is  indeed  my  chief  Desire: 
And  I  cannot  but  suppose,  in  answer  to  the  second, 
that  this  strong  Desire  of  Knowledge,  would  prompt 
me  to  Study,  &  diligent  Application,  which  are  the 
natural,  &  necessary  Means  of  acquiring  it ;  for  I  can 
now  with  truth  declare,  that  the  most  happy  hours  1 
find  in  life,  or  could  even  wish  to  enjoy,  are  those  when 
I  am  quite  alone  &  have  free,  &  undisturbed  Liberty  to 
ponder  over  the  Sentiments  of  some  famous  Writer. 

I  lay  no  claim  at  all  to  what  I  am  now  petitioning 
for  as  a  natural  Right;  A  limited  necessary  Education, 
which  you  have  most  kindly  already  been  careful,  in 
part,  to  bestow  upon  me,  is  all  I  could  expect  from  the 
common  Duty  of  a  Parent:  But  1  hold  a  free  Education 
in  so  great  Esteem,  that  1  should  choose  for  my  Lot, 
to  live  in  the  World  in  low  Condition,  if  Providence 
thought  it  necessary,  as  to  Wealth  and  all  outward 
Greatness,  under  the  Frown  of  Fortune,  &  be  blest  with 
Learning,  rather  than  possess  the  most  ample  Estate,  & 
be  blind  with  Ignorance :  Nay,  more.  It  would  be  my 
calm  Choice,  if  I  am  not  too  much  influenced  by  preju- 
dice in  my  own  favour,  to  choose  for  myself  that  my 
whole  Patrimony  if  you  shall  please  to  grant  me  any, 
be  applied  to  help  in  finishing  my  Education,  even  if  it 
should  be  all  expended. 


1769]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  3 

I  shall  say  no  more,  but  most  submissively  offer 
these  things  to  your  Consideration ;  the  Sum  of  which 
in  a  Word,  is,  my  humble,  and  earnest  Petition,  that  I 
may  be  put  to  School:  The  event  is  wholly  uncertain, 
&  must  be  left  with  him  who  knoweth  all  things,  &  is 
the  Disposer  of  all  Events. 

I  am,  very  dear  Father, 

with  great  Respect, 

your  dutiful  Son 
August  10'!',  1767.  Philip  Fithian. 


A  Letter  to  my  Father,  giving  him  Thanks  for  his 
kindness  in  putting  &  keeping  me  at  School. 

Written  at  Deerfield,  Sept:  28'.^  1769. 

Dear  Father, 

The  Duty  of  a  Child  to  a  Parent  is,  Obedience, 
Love,  &  all  kinds  of  Regard ;  If  therefore  I  am  destitute 
of  these,  I  do  manifest  Violence  to  the  Commands  of 
Nature  :  As  the  Condition  of  Life  in  which  I  am  through 
your  kind  Care  at  present  placed  seems  to  make  it  most 
proper  that  I  should  by  Letter  communicate  my  Senti- 
ments, I  very  gladly  improve  the  Oppertunity,  &  pre- 
sent you,  dear  Sir,  with  these  Lines,  which  are  the 
Return  of  Gratitude  I  very  sincerely  offer  for  your 
distinguished  Kindness. 

However  vain  the  Attempt  may  be  for  a  youth  to 
satisfy  the  pains  of  a  Parent  in  educating  him,  yet  any 
Child  is  most  certainly  to  blame  whenever  he  fails  of 
doing  the  utmost  of  his  Duty ;  those  ind.  are  very  rare 
who  duely  perform  parental  Duties,  yet  those  few  are 
found  happy  in  almost  any  Circumstance. 


4  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1769 

A  good  Education  if  rightly  improv'd,  we  are  all 
sure,  is  the  best  fortune  a  man  can  possess,  but  we  all 
know  as  well  that  there  is  almost  no  good  thing  but 
what  may  be  abused,  it  is  then  no  wonder  if  the  vicious 
Tempers  of  some  Men,  always  prone  to  mischief,  de- 
bauch the  best  Principles  of  Education. 

Without  Instruction  &  Refinement  Men  are  ad- 
vanced but  a  little  above  their  fellow  Creatures  the 
Brutes ;  they  are  ignorant  of  themselves,  &  of  the  won- 
derful Works  of  Providence ;  they  are  also  ignorant  of 
what  is  necessary  to  live  with  any  degree  of  Decency, 
&  Comfort  in  common  Life ;  not  to  mention  the  egregi- 
ous Errors  of  the  uncultivated  human  Race  concerning 
the  Supreme  Being,  &  concerning  the  Nature  of  their 
own  future  Existence. 

The  abuse  of  knowledge,  &  of  the  means  of  acquir- 
ing it  is  not  to  be  supposed  a  Disgrace  to  either;  it 
would  be  as  well  to  conclude  that  because  some  Men 
unnaturally  deprive  themselves  of  Life,  that  Life  is  of 
no  value. 

We  are  all  so  deep  drenched  with  ignorance.  Our 
Minds  so  clouded  &  dull,  that  it  requires  great  Industry, 
Application,  &  Pains  to  acquire  but  a  small  Degree  of 
Knowledge  :  We  may  often  hear  men  speaking  largely 
concerning  the  inactive  lives  of  the  learned,  or  of  those 
who  are  seeking  knowledge,  but  they  only  publish 
abroad  their  own  Ignorance,  for  the  Health,  &  good 
natural  Constitutions  of  many  Men  have  been  freely 
forfeited  in  their  painful  Search  after  Knowledge,  & 
given  up  as  Witnesses  for  the  Truth  of  the  arduous  & 
difficult  Ascent  to  the  Pinnacle  of  Science. 

I  have  often  thought  upon  the  Advantages  of  a 
good  Education ;  but  never  had  before  I  engaged  in 
Earnest  in  the  thing  any  just  idea  of  the  Difficulty  of 


1769]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  5 

Attaining  it:  There  are  many  Principles  which  we 
drink  in  in  early  youth,  as  close,  &  almost  as  dear  as 
our  very  Natures,  tk  which  many  cannot  throw  off  but 
carry  with  them  all  their  Days,  these  must  be  laid 
aside,  &  if  possible  forgotten  in  obtaining  true  Knowl- 
edge;  When  we  accomplish  one  Difficulty,  that  pre- 
sents us  to  the  Embrace  of  another,  this  being  finished 
we  see  the  third;  to  use  an  old,  but  a  very  just  Simile, 
it  is  like  a  person  endeavoring  to  surmount  a  Cluster  of 
Hills,  he  ascends  the  first  &  a  second  appears,  when  he 
is  at  the  top  of  that  he  beholds  another,  &  when  he  can 
see  some  he  ascended  first  no  longer,  he  sees  so  many 
before  him  that  he  seems  only  beginning  to  ascend ; 
thus  illimitable  are  the  Attainments  of  Learning. 

Yet  we  are  not  to  suppose  these  Difficulties  as 
Barriers  hindring  our  Attempts  to  attain  it,  but  as 
Incitements  to  Activity  &  Greater  Diligence. 

Although  the  Expences  of  Learning  are  consider- 
able, and  the  Labour  of  attaining  it  also  very  great,  yet 
a  due  Reflection  upon  its  true  Value,  silences  at  once 
all  Objections. 

Men  of  Letters  have  it  in  their  power  to  refine,  & 
often  to  reform  Mankind,  to  correct  their  Principles,  & 
check  their  Vices;  by  a  general  Survey  of  the  Lives 
&  Manners  of  Men,  the}?^  can  better  form  their  own 
Path ;  besides,  many  of  the  Antients,  &  Moderns  too 
have  left  what  is  more  durable  than  Statues  of  Brass, 
or  Marble,  to  wit  their  just  Sentiments,  and  Precepts; 

As  the  whole  Design  of  these  Lines  is  to  express 
my  hearty  thanks  for  your  kindness,  be  pleased.  Dear 
Father,  to  accept  my  sincere  Acknowledgements  for 
the  favour  of  your  Permission  to  an  Oppertunity  of 
Learning.  How  difficut  soever  the  Task  may  be,  & 
however  sorely   I  may  feel  my  so  late  beginning,  yet 


6  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1769 

certainly  by  your  good  permission,  I  shall  to  the  utmost 
of  my  Abilities  strive  to  accomplish  it. 

If  there  is  anything  more  I  would  say  I  should  ask 
your  Pardon  for  this  Presumtion,  &  hope  for  your  Pro- 
tection &  Assistance,  &  also  for  your  Prayrs  to  almighty 
God,  that  I  may  always  continue,  what  I  have  ever 
desired  to  be  your  dutiful 

&  beloved 

Son, 
Sept:  28'.^  1769.  Philip  Fithian. 


A  Letter  to  my  Father,  acquainting  him  with  my 
Admission  into  the  College ;  &  with  some  of  the  Cus- 
toms of  that  Place. 


Written  at  Nassau  Hall.^  in  Princeton  Novem  :   30^!^ 
Anno  1770. 

Very  Dear  Father. 

Altho'  I  am  very  busy  seeing  I  begun  to  study 
three  Weeks  later  than  the  rest  of  our  Class,  yet  I  think 
it  my  Duty  to  give  you  Notice  of  my  Admission  to  this 
flourishing  Seminary  of  Learning,  which  is  another 
grand  Step  towards  the  Summit  of  my  Wishes ;  And 
I   shall  also  mention   as  many  of  the  Customs,   as  my 

^  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  name  first  suggested  by  the  Trustees 
for  this  building,  was  "  Belcher  Hall",  after  Governor  Belcher,  who  granted 
the  College  charter,  and  who  had  liberally  contributed  toward  the  expense  of 
its  erection.  With  rare  modesty  however  he  declined  the  honor,  at  the  same 
time  expressing  a  desire  that  the  building  should  be  called  "  Nassau  Hall ",  in 
honor  of  King  William  the  Third,  a  branch  of  the  House  of  Nassau.  From 
the  name  given  to  this  first  edifice,  the  College  itself  came  to  be  generally 
known  as  Nassau  Hall. 


Nassau  Hall 
From  an   enj^raving  bv   Doolittle 


Writ; 
\iino  17 


^muu, 


U    yd    i;i!i  /u  r;4irj    hj;    mh  h  i 


I- 


^^*Stz 


y 


I770]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  7 

short  Acquaintance  with  the  College  &  Students  will 
allow  me,  &  as  any  thing  new  occurs  shall  not  fail  at 
any  time  to  transmit  it. 

Mr.  Hutiter^  and  myself,  were  admitted  into  the 
junior-Class  on  the  twenty  second  day  of  November, 
after  a  previous  Examination  by  the  president.  Tutors, 
&  some  residing  Graduates;  Which  was  about  three 
Weeks  after  the  College-Orders  began. 

The  Rules  by  which  the  Sholars  &  Students  are 
directed,  are,  in  my  Opinion,  exceedingly  well  formed 
to  check  &  restrain  the  vicious,  &  to  assist  the  studious, 
&  to  countenance  &  incourage  the  virtuous. 

Every  Student  must  rise  in  the  Morning,  at  farthest 
by  half  an  hour  after  five  ;  the  grammar  SchoUars  being 
most  of  them  small,  &  lodging  also  in  Town  at  some 
Distance  from  the  College,  are,  in  Winter,  excused  from 
attending  morning  Prayrs. 

The  Bell  rings  at  five,  after  which  there  is  an 
Intermission  of  half  and  hour,  that  everyone  may  have 
time  to  dress,  at  the  end  of  which  it  rings  again,  & 
Prayrs  begin ;  And  lest  any  should  plead  that  he  did 
not  hear  the  Bell,  the  Servant  who  rings,  goes  to  every 
Door  &  beats  till  he  wakens  the  Boys,  which  leaves 
them  without  Excuse. 

'Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.  was  graduated  at  Princeton  College  in  1772.  He 
was  shortly  after  licensed,  and  served  as  chaplain  in  Gen.  Heard's  brigade  of 
Jersey  Militia  during  the  Revolution.  This  was  the  same  brigade  to  which 
Fithian  was  attached.  He  was  a  Trustee  of  the  College,  from  1788  until  1804, 
when  he  resigned  from  the  Board  to  accept  the  newly  instituted  chair  of  Math- 
ematics and  Astronomy,  which  position  he  held  until  his  removal  to  Bordentown 
in  1808,  when  he  was  again  elected  Trustee,  serving  until  1811.  In  this  year 
he  was  appointed  chaplain  at  the  navy-yard  at  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he 
removed  with  his  family.  Andrew  Hunter  was  a  son  of  David  Hunter,  and 
a  nephew  of  Rev.  Andrew  Hunter  of  Greenwich,  N.  J.  ;  he  married  first,  Miss 
Ann  Riddell  ;  second,  Mary,  daughter  of  Richard  Stockton  the  Signer,  and 
died  at  Washington  at  an  advanced  age,  February  24th,  1823. 


8  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1770 

There  are  Bill-keepers  in  each  Class,  appointed 
generally  by  the  President,  or  in  his  absence  by  one  of 
the  Tutors,  who  take  Notice,  &  set  down  those  who  are 
absent  from  Morning  or  evening  Prayrs,  &  once  every 
week  present  their  Bill  to  the  Doctor,  or  one  of  the 
Tutors,  who  call  each  delinquent,  &  demand  their  Ex- 
cuse, which  if  it  is  thought  sufficeant  is  accepted,  if  not 
they  are  fined,  or  privately  admonished,  &  if  the  same 
person  is  found  frequently  guilty,  without  good  reason, 
he  receives  public  Admonition  in  the  Hall  for  Contempt 
of  Authority. 

After  morning  Prayrs,  we  can,  now  in  the  Winter, 
study  an  hour  by  candle  Light  every  Morning. 

We  breakfast  at  eight;  from  Eight  to  nine,  is  time 
of  our  own,  to  play,  or  exercise. 

At  nine  the  Bell  rings  for  Recitation,  after  which 

we  study  till  one,  when  the  Bell  rings  for  Dinner 

We  dine  all  in  the  same  Room,  at  three  Tables,   &  so 
we  breakfast  and  sup  : 

After  dinner  till  three  we  have  Liberty  to  go  out 
at  Pleasure. 

From  three  til'  five  we  study,  when  the  Bell  rings 
for  evening  Prayrs. 

We  sup  at  seven  ;  At  nine  the  Bell  rings  for  Study  ; 
And  a  Tutor  goes  through  College,  to  see  that  every 
Student  is  in  his  own  Room;  if  he  finds  that  any  are 
absent,  or  more  in  any  Room  than  belongs  there,  he 
notes  them  down,  &  the  day  following  calls  them  to  an 
Account. 

After  nine  any  may  go  to  bed,  but  to  go  before  is 
reproachful. 

No  Student  is  allowed,  on  any  pretence.  Sickness 
only  excepted,  to  be  absent  on  Sunday,  from  public 
Worship  :    We  have  two  Sermons  every  Sabbath  :    One 


I770]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  9 

at  eleven  in  the  morning,  in  the  Church;  &  the  other  at 
three  in  the  Afternoon,  in  the  College  Hall.  I  am  indeed 
much  pleased  with  Dr.  IVitherspooi  &  think  his  Sermons 
almost  inimitable. 

We  rise  on  Sabbath  mornings  &  have  Prayrs  as 
usual. 

There  is  a  Society  that  meets  every  Sabbath  Even- 
ing at  six  o  Clock,  for  religious  Worship ;  this  is  a 
voluntary  Society  made  up  of  any  who  belong  to  the 
College,  &  choose  to  attend. 

The  Exercises  in  this  Society  go  in  the  alphebetical 
Order  of  those  who  are  willing  to  perform  :  They  sing 
a  Psalm  &  pray,  after  which  a  Tutor  reads  a  Sermon  & 
dismisses  them. 

About  seven  the  supper  Bell  rings,  immediately 
after  which,  each  Class  meets  separately  in  Rooms  be- 
longing to  one  of  themselves ;  The  Seniors  alone  meet 
in  a  Room  belonging  to  one  of  the  Seniors  ;  &  the  Juniors 
by  themselves  meet  in  a  Room  belonging  to  one  of  them- 
selves; &  in  like  manner  do  the  inferior  Classes.  And 
one  in  each  Class,  as  his  Name  comes  in  alphebetical 
Order,  gives  out  a  Psalm  to  be  sung,  &  prays ;  after 
which  they  disperse,  and  retire  to  their  respective 
Rooms. 

I  make  use  of  the  word  "their"  not  because  I  do 
not  join  with  my  fellow-Students  in  these  Acts  of  Wor- 
ship, but  because  I  seem  only  yet  to  be  an  Observer  of 
their  Manners. 

There  are  upwards  of  an  hundred  now  in  the  Col- 
lege^  including  the  grammar  Scholars:    The   present 

'  Among  the  men  then  at  Princeton  College,  who  became  famous  in  after 
life,  were  James  Madison,  Class  of  1 771  ;  Aaron  Burr,  1772  ;  Henry  Lee 
("Light  Horse  Harry"),  1773;  Gunning  Bedford,  Hugh  H.  Brackenridge, 
Philip  Freneau,  Aaron  Ogden,  and  Henry  Brockholst  Livingston. 


lO  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1770 

Senior  Class  consists  of  ten :  The  Junior  of  twenty- 
eight  :  The  Sophimore  of  twenty  five  :  And  the  Freskmafi 
of  eighteen :   In  the  School  there  are  about  twenty-five. 

I  am,  through  divine  goodness,  very  well,  &  more 
reconciled  to  rising  in  the  Morning  so  early  than  at  first. 

Andrew^  is  not  yet  come,  I  fear  he  has  concluded 
to  stay  at  home. 

Please  to  accept  my  humble,  &  sincere  Regard ;  & 
give  my  kindest  Love  to  my  ever-dear  Mamma. 

From,  Sir,  your  dutiful  Son 

P.    FiTHIAN. 


A  Letter^  written  by  my  ever-dear  Mama;  at 
Greenwich,  Jan  lo:  Anno:  1771. 

My  dear  Son, 

I  hope  you  are  well;  we  are  all  well  at  present,  for 
which  I  desire  to  acknowledge  the  divine  Goodness : 

I  suppose  you  are  uneasy  about  your  Gown; 
Andrew's  not  coming  is  one  Reason ;  Mr.  Hiinter  wrote 
for  Cloth  last  week,  but  it  has  not  yet  come. 

This  is  perhaps  a  small  Cross,  &  you  must,  my 
dear  Son,  take  your  Cross  Daily,  &  follow  Christ,  if 
you  will  be  his  Disciple : 

I  beseech  you  make  Religion  your  Business;  O  my 
Son,  mind  the  one  thing  needful ;  beg  of  God  for  his 
Grace,  to  Withstand  Temptations;   You  have,  I  trust, 

'  Andrew  Hunter. 

'  This  letter  and  the  one  following  from  Fithian's  mother,  received  shortly 
after  his  entry  at  College,  g^ve  a  view  of  the  home  and  influence  which  shaped 
his  after  life,  and  which  led  him  as  a  missionary  to  devote  two  years  to  work 
among  the  Indians  and  early  settlers  of  the  great  western  wilderness,  and  when 
the  crisis  came,  to  lay  down  his  life  in  the  service  of  his  country. 


I77I]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  II 

inlisted  yourself  into  the  Service  of  Christ,  turn  not 
back;  it  is  easy  to  profess  Religion,  but  it  is  hard  to  be 
a  Christian :  Without  Holiness  no  Man  shall  see  the 
Lord ;  Try  to  deport  yourself  as  becometh  the  Gospel 
of  Christ;  Remember  what  the  Lord  hath  done  for 
you,  &  let  it  humble  you. 

I  hope  the  Lord  hath  Work  for  you  to  do  in  the 
World ;  O  that  he  would  furnish  you  with  every  neces- 
sary Grace,  &  Qualification  for  his  Service. 

That  you  may  grow  in  Grace,  &  in  the  Knowledge 
of  our  Lord,  &  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Prayr  of 
Your 

affectionate  Mother 

Hannah  Fithian. 

P.  S. 

I  beg  you  would  write  some  serious  Letters  to 
your  Brothers  &  Sister.  Your  Daddy  has  his  Compli- 
ments to  you ;   remember  my  Love  to  Andrew. 

Peace  be  with  you 

H.  F. 


Another  Letter  from  my  dear,  affectionate,  fond 
Mother,  written  at  Greenwich,  March  4:  Anno  1771. 

My  dear  Son, 

My  Love  remembered ; 

I  long  for  your  Souls  welfare  above  any  other  thing ; 
My  dear  Child,  remember  that  a  precious  Treasure  & 
Prize  depend  upon  the  short  time  you  are  now  upon  ; 
even  the  Eternity  of  Well,  or  Woe  to  your  Soul,  stand- 
eth  upon  your  short,  swift  posting  Life. 


i2  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1771 

Your  Soul  is  no  little  Value,  it  is  of  more  Value 
than  the  whole  World ;  to  live  as  others  do,  &  to  be 
free  &  void  of  open  sins  will  not  do;  Youth  is  a  very 
dangerous  Time,  it  is  not  possible  for  you  to  know  it 
until  experience  teaches  you  ;  You  remember  the  Apos- 
tles Charge  to  holy  Timothy,  flee  youthful  Zm^/j-.-  If  he 
needed  an  Admonishion  then  in  the  pure  Age  of  the 
Gospel,  how  much  more  now,  when  Religion  for  the 
most  part  is  but  a  Name? 

But  I  beseech  you,  my  dear  Child,  never  rest  until 
you  are  assured  of  your  Interest  in  Christ;  never  ex- 
pect Ease,  &  Pleasure  from  the  Enjoyments  of  this 
World;  he  never  himself  took  any,  nor  ever  promised 
us  any  but  in  himself;  O  may  the  God  of  all  Grace  per- 
fect a  work  of  Grace  in  your  Soul ;  that  he  may  present 
you  faultless  in  the  Day  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
Prayr  of  your  affectionate  Mam^: ! 

My  dear  Child,  pray  for  me,  I  am  afraid  you  can- 
not read  my  Writing,  but  if  you  can,  tho'  it  is  wrote  in 
much  Weakness  it  is  to  my  Child,  &  I  charge  you  not 
to  neglect  it! 

We  are  all  about  as  well  as  we  used  to  be,  your 
Daddy  hath  his  Complaints,  &  I  have  mine  ;  but  through 
divine  Goodness  I  am  much  better  than  I  was  last 
Winter. 

Enoch  remains  weak  yet.  Tommy  has  been  very 
sick,  but  the  Lord  hath  restored  him  again ;  Your 
Sister  &  Brothers  send  Love  to  you : 

I  am  almost  angry  that  you  have  so  long  neglected 
Writing,  but  I  hope  through  the  Goodness  of  God  to 
see  you  shortly. 

from  your 

fond  Mama 
Peace  be  with  you.  H.   Fithian. 


I77I]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  1 3 

The  Cliosophian  Club^  in  Distress. 

A  Piece  written  at  the  Time  of  a  paper-Contention, 
between  the  Whigg,  &  Tory  Societies,  at  Nassau-Hall. 
Read  June  22.  Anno  1771. 

Inasmuch  as  our  Case  truly  merits  the  Pity  of  All, 
we  hope  after  the  Publication  of  this  to  receive  not 
only  the  Sympathy  &  Assistance  of  our  Friends,  but 
Mercy  also,  &  relief  from  our  Enemies.  About  the 
Beginning  of  this  Month  we  finding  our  Body  to  be 
considerably  indisposed,  &  after  having  consulted 
together,  we  concluded  that  it  was  highly  necessary 
we  should  apply  for  Help  :  Accordingly,  by  the  Advice 
and  Prescription  of  Mr.  Hasard,  (In  whose  name  a  Dia- 
logue was  written  some  days  before,  between  himself 
and  the  Devil,  favoring  the  Cliosophians)  we  took  this 
Morning,  for  our  Relief,  a  well-prepared  Cathartic. 
But  either  through  the  Deceit  of  the  Apothecary,  or 
by  Reason  of  the  Malignity  of  our  Distemper,  or  both 
of  them  united,  for  our  Disease  seems  to  be  the  Effect 
of  their  united  Energy,  we  now  almost  dispair  of  Life ! 

'  The  Cliosophic  and  American  Whig  Societies  were  then,  as  they  are  now, 
the  two  great  rival  organizations  of  Princeton  College.  In  the  year  1765,  or 
shortly  before,  two  literarj'  societies  were  organized  at  Nassau  Hall  under  the 
names,  the  Well  Meaning  and  Plain  Dealing  Clubs,  these  however  were  sup- 
pressed by  the  College  authorities,  owing  to  some  riotous  proceedings,  in  1768. 
In  1769,  with  the  sanction  of  the  Faculty,  the  Plain  Dealers  reorganized  under 
the  name  of  the  American  Whig  Society,  and  shortly  after,  in  1770,  the  Well 
Meaning  Club  was  succeeded  by  the  Cliosophic  Society.  Prominent  among 
the  Whig  founders  are  the  names  of  James  Madison  and  Gen.  John  Beatty,  a 
brother-in-law  of  Fithian's  ;  while  Henry  Lee  and  Aaron  Burr  are  noted  among 
the  first  Cliosophian  members.  Philip  Fithian  himself  was  a  Whig.  This 
piece,  from  the  pen  of  a  Whig,  is  a  sarcasm  intended  to  show  the  sorrowful 
state  of  the  Clio's,  as  compared  with  their  own  flourishing  condition.  See 
Cameron's  Hist,  of  the  Am.  Whig  Society,  and  Giger's  Hist,  of  the  Cliosophic 
Society. 


14  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1771 

For,  altho  by  the  Operation  of  the  Medicine,  we  are  rid 
of  great  Numbers  of  inherent  sickly  Humours,  yet  our 
whole  Frame  seems  shaken,  &  about  to  fall.  How  alarm- 
ing is  the  Approach  of  Dissolution  to  ourselves  in  par- 
ticular, &  how  doleful  will  the  Catastrophy  appear  to 
the  World  in  general ;  when  the  distinguished  Tories; 
the  potent,  the  august,  the  splendid,  royal  Sons  of  the 
Morning  fall ! 

Considering  therefore  our  low  Condition,  &  the 
Improbability  of  a  Recovery  :  &  finding  that  we  are 
found,  as  usual,  in  our  Intellects,  Thanks  be  to  Mr. 
Hasard,  altho'  exercised  with  unspeakable  Pain,  we 
think  proper,  in  form  following,  to  make  our  last  Will,  & 
regularly  dispose  of  all,  &  every  of  our  worldly  Estate. 

Imprimis. 

We  give,  &  devise  all  our  Orations,  Declamations, 
Disputes,  Pastorals,  Acrosticks,  &  loose,  miscellany 
Writings,  wherever  the  same  may  be,  to  the  Person 
who  shall  in  Opposition  to  these  royal  Whiggs,  reso- 
lutely defend  &  renew  our  dying  Cause. 

Item.  Secondly.  We  give  to  the  impotent,  & 
needy  that  they  may  bear  us  long  in  Mind,  all  our 
Instruments  &  Tools  whatsoever  ;  consisting  of  Flutes, 
Fifes,  Drums,  Colours,  Bodkins,  Shears,  Sleeve-Boards, 
&c  &c. 

But  it  is  our  Will  these  should  be  sold  at  public 
Vendue,  or  otherwise,  &  their  Value  given  as  before 
mentioned,  but  all  the  Fools,  kept  for  the  Use  of  a  suc- 
ceeding Club. 

Item.  Thirdly.  We  give  our  huge  looking-Glass 
to  that  spirited  &  brave  Fellow  who  shall  in  any  suc- 
ceeding Age,  either  by  his  Skill  in  Writing,  Declaiming, 
or  Burlesquing,  humble  in  any  Degree,  the  Pride  &  the 
Glory  of  the  victorious  and  flourishing  Whiggs. 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  15 

Lastly.  The  Remainder  of  our  Goods,  Debts, 
Chattels,  &c.  we  give  to  Mr.  Hasard,  for  the  vigorous 
Performance  of  his  friendly  Designs,  altho  they  are 
likely  to  be  to  us  of  fatal  Consequence,  oh  ! 

And  we  do  hereby  appoint  John  Richards,  Simon 
Snodgrass,  &  Patrick  Kepple  to  be  joint  Executors  to  this 
our  Will,  relying  on  their  Fidelity  religiously  to  fulfil, 
in  every  particular,  our  last  Request  concerning  genu- 
ine Property. 

Testes.  TORY  CLUB. 

Rich?  Archibald. 
Samv  Brown. 
Harry  Templeton. 


[John  McCalla  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Philadel:  Jan.y  6."^  1772. 
Dear  Philip. 

If  I  were  to  write  to  you  as  often  as  I  think  of  you 
my  letters  would  be  as  bad  as  a  rent  charge,  1  had  a 
letter  wrote  by  the  last  stage  but  the  boy  neglected  to 
carry  it  'till  it  was  too  late,  I  have  tried  several  places 
to  get  you  the  song  you  wrote  to  me  for  but  could  not. 
J  ...  Y  ...  is  out  of  town  and  has  been  this  month, 
and  I  cannot  get  it  for  you  now%  but  as  soon  as  ever  she 
comes  to  Phila :  a  1  will  send  it  to  you  I  knew  it  all 
when  you  were  here  but  has  quite  forgot  it ;  I  hope 
you  will  pardon  my  not  writing  oftener,  but  believe  me 
Philip  it  is  not  for  want  of  regard  for  I  have  the  sin- 
cerest  friendship  for  you. 

1  wish  you  could  come  up  next  Stage,  for  I  long  to 
ramble  once  more  with  you  as  perhaps  I  shall  not  have 


l6  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1772 

such  another  opportunity  this  seven  years  should  we 
live  so  long,  and  the  weather  so  very  pleasant  but  I 
must  conclude  with  wishing  you  all  the  pleasures  the 
season  can  afford,  the  best  company ;  the  best  Coffee, 
and  the  best  news  you  can  desire,  and  what  more  to 
wish  you  I  do  not  know  unless  it  be  a  great  deal  of 
patience  to  read  this  letter. 

I  am  Dear  Philip  Yours 

John  Mc.Calla. 


A  Letter  to  my  much  loved  Mam«. 

Written  at  Nassau-Hall,  Jan:  la^i'  Anno  1772. 
Dear  Mam«. 

I  have  nothing  to  offer  as  a  Reason  why  I  did  not 
write  sooner,  for  I  want  neither  Time,  nor  Oppertunity. 

I  do  not  remember  ever  to  have  spent  a  Winter 
with  so  great  Satisfaction  as  I  have  this,  as  yet;  Our 
Studies  are  easy,  &  they  are  very  pleasant ;  our  public 
Exhibitions  are  few,  &  they  are  also  easy. 

I  have  an  Oppertunity  in  some  small  Degree  of 
acquainting  myself  with  Mankind,  by  observing  the 
Conduct  &  Temper  of  the  Students  in  this  Seminary : 
Which  is  filled  with  Young-Men  not  only  from  almost 
every  Province,  in  this  Continent;  But  we  have  also 
many  from  the  West  Indies,  &  some  few  from  Etirope. 
So  that  from  the  Difference  in  their  early  Education, 
their  Manner  is  extremely  different,  which  makes  our 
Observations  on  them,  both  agreeable,  &  profitable. 

I  have  here,  besides,  an  Opertunity  of  acquainting 
myself  with  the  Writings  of  great,  &  famous  Men,  &  to 
improve  by  their  Instruction ;    And   all  these  Advan- 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  1 7 

tages,  dear  Mama,  that  I  have  now  been  mentioning  to 
advance  ourselves  in  Science,  are  exceedingly  helpful  in 
acquiring  one  other  most  important  Branch  of  Science, 
I  mean  an  Acquaintance  with  Myself :  There  are  many 
Ways,  which  are  seldom  neglected,  of  reproaching  & 
putting  to  Shame  those  who  are  proud,  &  self-confident! 
It  is  now  almost  three  Months  before  I  expect  to  see 
Home;  if  I  am  so  long  continued  in  Life,  &  shall  be 
once  more  favoured  to  see  my  near  Connections,  for 
oh  !  it  is  wholly  uncertain  ! 

The  Time  appears  long:    But  I  am  not  in  any  De- 
gree impatient;   for  I   am  convinced  that  it  is  not  the 
Place,  nor  Condition  ;   neither  is  it  the  Presence,   nor 
Absence  of  Relations,    &   Friends,   tho'    most  near,   & 
tender  to  us,  that  can  give  us,  for  any  length  of  Time, 
either  substantial  Joy,  or  Grief ;   none  of  these  can  avail, 
without  the  favoring  Presence  of  our  common  Father, 
who  is  the  Almighty  God.      To  him,   Madam,   to  his 
Grace  I  resign  myself ;   of  him  I  ask  Direction,  in  my 
Course  ;  &  in  the  Enjoyment  of  him  1  look  for  Happiness. 
I  have  been  long  since  convinced,  of  your  strong,  & 
unfeigned,  yet  undeserved  Fondness  of  me  ;   the  Tokens 
of  it  have  been  frequently  so  plain,  that  they  have  left 
me  astonished,  &  in   Tears,  for  being  so  monstrously 
ungrateful,  as  not  to  render  in  Turn,  at  least,  my  kind- 
est Affections.      I   feel  now,    stronger   than   ever,    my 
Obligations  to  the  most  extensive  Kindness;   But  now 
I  am  divieded  dear  Mama,  from  your  Society,  &  thereby 
denied  the  Liberty  of  acting  what  my  Heart  suggests. 
Yet  there  remains  one   Resource,  which  is  the  best  of 
All ;    I  will  betake  myself  to  the  Throne  of  Grace,  for 
that  is  free  to  all  Mankind  ;   &  the  God  who  sitteth  upon 
it  is  omnipresent;   he  as  fully  knows,  &  will  as  readily 
answer  what  I   ask  of  him   here,  as  tho'  I  was  in  my 


l8  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1772 

Chamber  at  Cohansic.  I  ask  then,  ardently,  for  his 
Grace,  &  Blessing  on  my  much-esteemed  Parents ;  May 
you  enjoy  Happiness  in  him,  &  Comfort  in  your  Friends 
in  general,  but  in  us  your  Children  in  particular;  May 
he  give  us  all  Repentance  unto  Life,  that  Parents,  & 
Children,  we  may  be  all  translated  to  Christs  heavenly 
Kingdom. 

so  prays  constantly 

dear  Mam« 

your  respectful  Son 

P.    V.    FiTHIAN. 


A  Letter  to  my  Father. 

Written  at  Princeton  Jan  13.  Anno  1772. 
Very  dear,  &  much  respected  Father, 

Through  the  distinguished  Kindness  of  Heaven,  I 
am  in  good  Health,  &  have  much  Cause  to  be  delighted 
with  my  Lot.  I  would  not  change  ray  Condition,  nor 
give  up  the  Prospect  I  have  before  me,  on  any  Terms 
almost  whatever. 

I  am  not  much  hurried  this  Winter  with  my  Studies ; 
but  I  am  trying  to  advance  myself  in  an  Acquaintance 
with  m}^  fellow-Creatures;  &  with  the  Labovirs  of  the 
"Mighty  Dead." 

I  am  sorry  that  I  may  inform  you,  that  two  of  our 
Members  were  expelled  from  the  College  yesterday ; 
not  for  Drunkenness,  nor  Fighting,  not  for  Swearing, 
nor  Sabbath-Breaking;  But,  they  were  sent  from  this 
Seminary,  where  the  greatest  Pains  and  Care  are  taken 
to  cultivate  and  encourage  Decency,  &  Honesty,  &  Honour, 
for  stealing  Hens !     Shameful,  mean,  unmanly  Conduct ! 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  I9 

If  a  Person  were  to  judge  of  the  generality  of  Stu- 
dents, by  the  Conduct  of  such  earth-born,  insatiate 
Helluo's;  or  by  the  detested  Character  of  wicked  Indi- 
viduals, (which  is  generally  soonest  &  most  extensively 
propogated,  &  known  abroad,)  how  terrible  an  Idea 
must  he  have ! 

Please  to  remember  my  kind  Regards  to  my  Broth- 
ers ;  Sister  Becka,  &  the  whole  Family.  I  feel  my  Heart 
warm  with  Esteem  for  them !  but  can  only  further,  at 
present,  write  myself,  dear  Father,  Yours, 

P.    FiTHIAN, 


[Extract  from  an  oration  pronounced  in  public, 
January    15th,  1772,  on  "  Fashions".] 

...  I  have  not  time  to  draw  a  paralell  as  I  pro- 
posed between  admirals  &  generals  of  ancient  &  modern 
times.  I  shall  bring  only  one  instance  of  the  calmness, 
&  simplicity  of  the  former  &  compare  it  with  what,  in 
the  same  circumstances  would  be  the  language  of  our 
sea  commanders;  It  is  where  Aneas  &  his  crew  in  their 
passage  from  Troy,  to  Italy,  were  near  falling  on  that 
most  dangerous,  &  almost  unavoidable  Whirl-pool 
Charibdis ;  In  this  critical  moment  Anchises  their  ven- 
erable old  Admiral  thus  addrest  the  seamen. 

Hos  Helenus  scopulos,  haec  faxa  horrendu 
Eripite,  o  socii,  pariterque  insurgite  remis.' 

He  said,  rise  my  friends  on  your  Oars,  &  pull  with 
ardor. 

Instead  of  this  the  language  of  a  modern  boatswain 
would  be  —  Damn  your  eyes,  stand  by  brave  fellows, 

•  From  the  third  book  of  Virgil's  ^neid. 


20  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1772 

each  guard  his  own  station,  or,  I  swear  we  shall  soon  be 
to  the  Devil ! 

Perhaps  some  are  concluding  that  I  intend  to  pass 
the  Ladies  by  in  silence,  &  therefore  make  myself  a 
Lyar,  because  I  promised  to  introduce  something  con- 
cerning them  in  this  place ;  it  would  be  the  part  of  a 
stupid  fellow  indeed  to  say  nothing  at  all,  of  what  can 
best  illustrate  &  prove  his  subject. 

But  I  beg  the  liberty  of  pleading  absolute  unwil- 
lingness to  say  a  word  concerning  changing  fashions,  or 
changeable  inclinations,  because  these  bear  so  exact  a 
resemblance  to  my  own  temper  that  it  would  be  alto- 
gether impossible  for  me  to  say  any  thing  concerning 
them,  but  only  to  support  &  defend  them. 

So  zealous  am  I  in  the  Cause  of  the  Ladies,  &  so 
much  their  friend,  that  I  am  well  enough  assured,  there 
is  not  any  single  one  present,  who,  if  she  knew  only  a 
little  of  my  heart,  would  doubt  of  my  sincerity  a 
moment,  when  I  say  that  I  believe,  &  should  be  proud 
any  time  at  half  an  hours  warning  to  be  basted  soundly 
for  my  opinion,  that  there  has  not  been  a  fashion  these 
fifteen  years  past,  I  mean  among  the  Ladies,  which  has 
not  been  more  useful,  &  more  necessary,  than  showy  & 
ornamental.  .  . 


[Andrew  Hunter,   Sr.,   to  Philip  Fithian.] 

COHANSIE  FebX  lo'.h  1772. 


Sir. 


I  am  very  sorry  that  I  have  the  melancholy  occasion 
to  inform  you  of  something  that  will  try  all  the  religion 
and  fortitude  you  have,   to  bear  up  under  it.     I  need 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  2  1 

not  keep  you  in  longer  suspence,  your  Parents  are  both 
dead;  your  mother^  the  2^  and  your  Father  the  8'>  of 
this  instant.  We  can  find  no  will,  and  therefore  you 
are  the  only  person  that  hath  aright  to  administer,  you 
must  come  as  soon  as  possible  for  all  must  lie  as  it  is 
till  you  come,  I  have  inclosed  thirty  shillings  to  pay 
your  expence  by  Stage,  I  hope  you  will  be  down  next 
week,  my  love  to  Andrew. 

Yours,  &c. 

Andrew  Hunter. 


[Andrew  Hunter,   Jr.,   to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau  Hall  March  18'!^  1772. 


Sir. 


I  am  glad  to  understand  by  your  letter  that  you 
expect  to  settle  the  affairs  of  your  family  so  soon. 

I  received  your  keys  and  have  wrote  to  you  since, 
but  perhaps  the  letter  is  miscarried,  you  need  not  be  at 
all  uneasy  about  your  things  that  are  here,  for  I  will 
take  as  much  care  of  them,  as  if  they  were  my  own,  in 
every  respect :  and  will  bring  down  such  of  them  as 
you  have  wrote  for,  except  your  tutor  for  the  flute, 
which  I  cannot  get,  as  Mr.  Cook  went  to  Philadelphia 
the  week  alter  3-ou  went  from  here,  on  account  of  tl.e 
sudden  death  of  his  mother,  and  will  not  return  till  after 

'  Philip  Fithian's  mother  was  Hannah  Vickers  ;  she  married  Joseph  Fithian 
in  1746  (see  introduction).  The  cause  of  their  deaths  is  not  known.  Andrew 
Hunter,  the  writer  of  this  note,  was  an  uncle  of  Andrew  Hunter,  who  gradu- 
ated with  Fithian  in  1772.  He  received  from  Princeton  College,  in  1760,  the 
honorary  degree  of  A.  M. 


22  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1772 

vacancy.  We  have  had  a  considerable  stir  of  religion^ 
in  college  since  you  went  away,  Lewis  Willson^  is 
thought  to  have  got  religion ;  and  the  formerly  aband- 
oned Glover  is  seeking  the  way  to  heaven.  Our  ora- 
tions are  put  off  lest  they  should  do  some  harm  to  some 
under  concern.  Little  King^  lives  with  me  till  vacancy. 
I  dont  know  whether  we  shall  go  on  the  stage  this  sea- 
son or  not.  Give  my  compliments  to  your  family  and 
any  else  vou  please. 

I  am  yours,  &c. 

AxDy  Hunter  jl-n? 


Septem^  lo^.!'  1772.     Nassau  Hall. 

An  Exercise  at  the  public  Commencement. 

It  is  altogether  needless,  to  detain  this  respectable 
assembly  only  for  two  or  three  minutes,  with  any  intro- 

*  Dr.  Maclean  in  his  History  of  th€  College  of  New  Jersey  (Vol.  I.  389— 
390),  says  of  the  religious  revivals  of  1770  and  1772  : 

' '  The  fruits  of  these  religfious  awakenings  were  most  happy,  as  they  gave 
to  the  Church  not  a  few  of  her  ablest  ministers  and  elders,  and  to  the  State 
some  of  her  best  and  most  influential  citizens.  As  usual  in  such  times,  some 
were  very  earnest  friends  to  these  religious  revivals,  and  others  were  zealous 
opponents,  deeming  them  evidence  of  fanaticism  of  those  who  favored  them  .  .  . 
Hence  it  should  occasion  no  surprise  that  the  more  ardent  of  the  youth,  on 
whichever  side  arrayed,  should  regard  the  cautions  given  them  by  their  wise 
and  faithful  President  ( Witherspoon)  as  evidence  that  he  was  not  fully  in  sjTn- 
pathy  with  those  who  viewed  these  religious  excitements  as  the  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  as  e\-idence  that  God  had  heard  their  prayers  and  had  crowned 
with  success  their  efforts  for  the  conversion  of  not  a  few  of  their  fellow-students." 

^  In  the  case  of  Lewis  Fuielleteau  Wilson  (class  of  17  73  J  conversion  ap- 
pears to  have  been  permanent,  as  he  was  afterward  ordained  a  minister  of  the 
Gosp)el.  He  was  tutor  at  the  college  from  1774-75,  but  ha\-ing  received  the 
degree  of  M.D.,  he  resigned  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution,  and  entered 
the  army  as  surgeon.  The  "  abandoned  Glover  "  appears  to  have  mistaken  a 
path  to  some  neighboring  hen-roost,  for  the  way  to  Heaven,  as  he  was  expelled 
from  the  college  the  following  winter  [1773]  for  stealing  turkies. 

'  Probably  Andrew  King,  class  of  1773. 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  23 

duction  to  the  following'  Subject,  further  than  by  just 
telling  them  it  is  my  design  to  prove  that  ^'^  political 
jealousy  is  a  laudable  passion." 

Jealousy  is  a  strange  temper  in  the  human  mind,  & 
like  several  other  of  our  passions,  it  has  various  effects 
when  its  subjects  are  different ;  it  is  also  of  many  kinds, 
as  political,  domestic,  &  ecclesiastic  Jealousies,  Jealousy 
in  Friendship,  and  between  the  Sexes ;  each  of  which 
has  a  different  effect  on  the  mind  from  all  the  others,  & 
several  of  them,  if  carried  to  any  considerable  length, 
are  generally  attended  with  dangerous  consequences: 
especially  the  two  kinds  last  mentioned,  Jealousy  in 
Friendship,  &  between  the  Sexes  ;  for  in  friendship  when 
two  persons  of  agreeable  tempers,  have  by  long  acquaint- 
ance proved  each  others  fidelity,  so  as  to  communicate 
all  their  secret  intentions  to  each  other,  &  have  con- 
tracted a  particular  esteem  between  themselves,  if  by 
any  means,  whether  false  or  true,  the  one  becomes  sus- 
picious that  the  regard,  or  the  faithfulness  of  the  other 
is  diminished,  he  is  then  watchful  of  every  action,  & 
misapplies  every  unmeaning  expression,  which  at  once 
destroys  their  quiet,  &  is  seldom  removed,  but  most 
usually  terminates  in  open  hatred.  But  it  is  said  by 
some  that  a  small  degree  of  Jealousy  between  those  of 
different  Sexes  improves,  &  increases  mutual  Esteem, 
because  esteem  is  said  to  be  the  foundation  of  Jealousy; 
but  when  it  arrives  at  a  certain  pitch,  it  then  turns  the 
other  way,  &  rages  with  ungovernable  violence;  like 
attraction  in  small  bodies,  which  ceases  to  act  at  a  cer- 
tain distance.  &  then  repulsion  separates  them  with  a 
double  force;  I  am,  however,  quite  unable  to  compre- 
hend what  can  be  a  cause  for  this  mysterious  limitation, 
&  as  no  valid  reasons  have  been  brought  to  support  it, 
but  innumerable  Examples  which  operate  against  it,  we 


24  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1772 

conclude  that  wherever  Jealousy  between  the  sexes 
takes  place,  it  destroys  the  comfort  &  happiness  of  the 
parties,  in  proportion  to  its  Strength,  &  Duration.  It 
is  therefore  mischievous  in  its  nature  in  both  these 
kinds,  &  neither  desirable,  nor  laudable;  perhaps  the 
same  things  or  worse  might  be  said  of  domestic  & 
eclesiastic  Jealousies,  but  I  pass  them  by,  &  proceed  to 
observe  that  political  Jealousy  differs  from  them  all  in 
these  respects;   it  is  rational,  &  uniform,  &  necessary. 

Any  person  who  considers  the  importance  of  a  free 
State,  of  how  great  value  the  lives  the  liberties,  &  the 
property  of  a  nation  are,  &  considers  that  the  surround- 
ing nations  are  envious  of  their  neighbours  happiness, 
&  therefore  always  desirous  of  reducing  them  to  sub- 
jection, will  see  at  once  &  readily  confess,  that  it  is  most 
just,  that  those  who  have  the  ruling  power,  should  keep 
a  watchful  eye  upon  the  whole  conduct  of  those  in  whose 
power  it  is  to  disturb  &  injure  them ;  &  this  observa- 
tion is  Jealousy  of  their  designs,  which  is  the  first  & 
surest  step  to  self-preservation,  because  it  is  the  sim- 
plest, &  most  safe  method  that  can  be  taken  to  preserve 
the  state,  as  it  does  not  suffer  mischief  to  take  place  & 
the  safety  of  every  individual  in  a  state  depends  entirely 
upon  the  Security  of  the  whole,  consequently  this  kind 
of  Jealousy  is  a  first  principle  of  Nature,  which  never 
goes  contrary  to  reason;  &  which  alwa3-s  directs  to 
something  needful  &  for  our  good,  political  Jealousy  is 
therefore  rational  &  founded  in  unerring  nature. 

It  is  like  wise  uniform,  for  it  only  excites  politicians 
to  a  constant  attention  to  those  things  which  are  likely 
to  keep  the  state  in  safety,  but  when  public  hostilities 
are  committed  against  the  state  there  is  nothing  then 
that  can  be  called  Jealousy  for  the  resentment  is  open 
and  common:      Political  Jealousy,  then  in  this  view,  is 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  2$ 

of  great  importance  in  two  respects,  it  is  first  the  most 
easy  and  effectual  way  to  keep  a  nation  in  peace,  or 
make  them  successful  in  war,  as  it  urges  to  constant 
readiness  for  the  greatest  danger ;  &  likewise  its  natural 
tendency  is  to  unite  the  people ;  for  when  they  see  the 
Rulers  of  the  nation  inattentive  to  the  national  welfare, 
they  immediately  become  dissatisfied,  because  their  own 
lives  and  property  are  in  danger,  &  often  in  this  case 
they  rebel  against  the  government,  &  unite  among  them- 
selves to  defend  their  own  lives  &  secure  their  property  ; 
but  when  a  people  see  their  Rulers  watchful  over  the 
state,  &  always  forward  to  detect  &  chastise  intruders, 
if  the  nation  is  in  peace  they  are  quiet  &  at  ease,  and 
when  war  commences  they  cheerfully,  &  couragiously 
join  with  their  rulers,  to  scourge,  &  subdue  the  common 
enem}' ;  now  seeing  Jealousy  of  this  kind  never  grows 
to  be  a  tumultuous,  &  dangerous  passion,  it  certainly 
cannot  be  denv'd  but  that  it  is  useful;  &  it  is  besides 
a  necessary  passion,  for  it  is  the  spring  that  gives  life 
and  motion  to  government,  &  its  force  is  so  powerful 
that  its  influence  extends  throughout  the  largest  State, 
&  so  mild  that  it  never  injures  the  weakest  subject. 

It  seems,  finally  to  have  been  a  particular  passion, 
implanted  by  the  supreme  God  in  certain  Men,  which 
assists  them  to  rule  a  state  in  equity,  &  to  make  use  of 
all  necessary,  &  possible  means  to  preserve  it  in  safety ; 
&  when  those  who  are  destitute  of  it  are  set  over  a 
nation  they  seem  placed  there  by  providence  to  chastise 
the  people,  &  for  their  own  destruction ;  when  private 
interest  is  prefered  by  Politicians  to  the  National  wel- 
fare, or  when  discord  &  mischeivous  factions  enter 
among  them,  these  show  at  once  that  instead  of  being 
directed  by  the  genuine  gentle  temper  above  described 
they  are /(?j-^^jjr^  with  a  spurious,  selfish,  helborn  passion. 


26  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1772 

Now  seeing  it  has  been  made  appear  that  this  kind 
of  Jealousy  tends  in  general  to  the  good  of  a  Nation ; 
seeing  it  never  promotes  feuds,  &  factions,  nor  ever 
grows  to  be  turbulent  &  excessive ;  seeing  its  tendency 
is  to  unite  a  people  in  friendship  among  themselves,  and 
make  them  powerful  against  their  enemies  ;  &  seeing  its 
influence  is  as  extensive  as  the  most  populous  state,  & 
at  the  same  time  mild  &  gentle,  who  can  den}' ;  I  ask, 
who  can  deny  but  that  it  is  laudable,  lovely,  desirable, 
&  most  excellent?  did  I  ask  who  can  deny?  It  is  a  con- 
fessed truth,  &  admitted  by  all ; It  there- 
fore only  remains  that  I  implore  the  great  Genius  which 
presides  over  our  nation,  to  inspire  our  king  &.  his  council, 
&  all  our  Rulers  with  this  noble  spirit.  Oh !  inspire 
them  mighty  Goddess,  with  a  temper  like  to  thine ;  suffer 
them  not  we  first  intreat  thee  to  be  swayed  from  their 
duty  by  sordid  interest;  make  them  always  consider 
that  upon  their  consultations  depends  the  safety  of  a 
vast  empire!  let  them  therefore  be  all  men  of  integrity, 
&  unquestionable  sincerity ;  take  from  them  all  malice, 
&  revengeful  inclinations,  &  fill  them  with  love  &  har- 
mony among  one  another,  so  that  our  happy  government 
may  be  established  &  flourish,   so  long  as  the  Sun  & 

Moon  endure But,    if   it  is  written  in  the  books  of 

Fate  that  a  change  in  the  Government  must  take  place ; 
Oh !  transfer  it  to  this  zucstern  World,  set  up  here  thy 
royal  standard,  where  ignorance  &  barbarity  lately 
reigned ;  may  virtue  &  learning,  &  Arts  be  always  the 
subjects  of  thy  particular  attention  ;  establish  a  Govern- 
ment, &  set  over  it  such  men  as  shall  be  ever  watchful 
for  the  common  good,  that  they  may  forever  rule  a 
brave,  a  free,  &  a  happy  People. 

Philip  V.   Fithian. 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  2/ 

[Dr.   John  Beatty  to  Philip   Fithian.] 

Philad^  Decern^  18'.''  1772. 
D?  Sir: 

I  rode  that  evening  you  left  me  as  far  as  Cormans; 
being  very  SolemncJiolly^x\^  somewhat  tired,  I  concluded 
to  stay  there  all  night;  and  very  early  next  morning 
breakfasted  at  Gloucester  and  got  into  Philadelphia  be- 
fore Eleven  of  the  clock;  design'd  to  have  reach'd  home 
that  evening,  but  it  proving  rainy  I  was  obliged  to  stay 
till  to  day. 

I  procured  the  tragedy  vou  desired  and  left  it  with 
M^  John  Mf.Calla.  also  the  notes  of  the  variations  of 
lovel}-  nancy  which  I  transmit  you;  altho  they  are  very 
imperfectly  done  thro'  great  hurry,  yet  I  believe  they 
are  accurate. 

I  hear  of  nothing  extraordinary  in  this  place ;  the 
Fate  of  these  poor  unhappy  young  fellows,  seem  the 
chief  topic  of  conversation  what  it  may  is  as  3'et  very 
doubtful ;  it  is  more  than  probable  they  will  be  con- 
demned, tho  most  people  Imagine  they  will  be  reprieved 
by  the  Governor;  this  however  is  a  broken  staff  to 
depend  on. 

I  expect  to  hear  from  you  by  the  first  oppertunity. 
I  am  with  my  compliments  to  M":^  Peck  and  family  D^ 
Sir  your  very  affectionate 

Friend,  &c. 

John  Beatv. 


[Oliver  Reese  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Rocky-Hill  Dec;  26'>  1772. 
My  Dear  Philip. 

It  gave  me  a  very  peculiar  satisfaction  to  receive  a 
letter  from,    I  had  almost   concluded    that  a   frequent 


28  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1772 

intercourse  with  your  charming  Laura  (who  I  under- 
stood had  removed  to  our  parts)  had  made  you  forget 
your  friends  at  prince-ton  but  your  friendly  letter  has 
removed  my  suspicions,  1  feel  my  heart  warm  towards 
you,  and  my  desires  enkindled  to  spend  one  more  even- 
ing in  your  company  ;  methinks  I  could  now  give  you  a 
lecture  that  would  raise  your  drooping  spirits  and  make 
you  think  your  Laura  was  your  own. 

Oh !  if  I  could  but  see  you  I  could  tell  you  many 
pretty  things  to  tell  her,  that  I  am  shure  if  she  was  not 
actually  married  to  another  would  gain  her  to  your 
interest. 

Tho'  I  daily  enjoy  the  company  of  a  very  handsome 
and  most  agreeable  young  Lady  from  Long-Island  who 
is  to  live  with  us  till  spring,  yet  it  is  no  temptation  to 
me  to  forsake  Amanda,  She  has  my  heart,  I  prefer  her 
to  an}'  I  have  ever  been  acquainted  with,  and  I  will 
venture  to  tell  you  I  am  far  from  despairing  of  future 
success,  It  will  rejoice  me  to  hear  from  you  often,  and 
rest  assured  I  shall  write  as  frequent  as  time,  and  opper- 
tunity  will  admit,  I  am  just  going  to  bed. 
from  your  humble  Serv' 

Oliver  Reese. ^ 


[Andrew  Hunter,   Jr.,    to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau-Hall.  Dec:  2V-^  ^772. 
D?  Sir. 

I  am,  by  your  omitting  writing  to  me,  constrained 
to  think  that  you  Study  very  hard  this  winter,  or  spend 
your  time  in  something  else  of  equal  importance.  I 
expected  to  have  received   frequent  letters  from   you 

^Oliver  Reese  graduated  at  Nassau  Hall  with  Fithian,  in  1772.  He 
appears  at  this  time  to  have  been  studying  Theology,  in  company  with  some 
others  of  his  class,  under  the  guidance  of  Dr.  Witherspoon,  at  Princeton. 


1772]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  29 

whereas  I  have  only  received  two,  the  last  of  which  was 
dated  the  5'>  of  this  month.  The  requests  of  your 
first  1  complied  with  soon  after  it  came  to  hand.  Those 
of  the  second  I  have  not  had  it  in  my  power  to  comply 
with  before  now,  having  so  much  business  that  I  scarcely 
know  what  most  demands  dispatch. 

The  Doctor  in  his  lectures'  does  not  go  on  in  the 
order  that  System  writers  generally  do,  but  chooses  out 
the  most  important  subjects  in  divinity  such  as  the 
proofs  of  natural  and  revealed  religion,  Faith,  Repent- 
ance, the  Deistical  controversies.  Original  Sin,  &c. 

And  treats  them  in  as  concise  a  manner  as  possible, 
to  give  us  a  clear  notion  of  them,  and  gives  us  the  sev- 
eral opinions  of  the  ablest  writers. 

I  would  be  glad  3^ou  would  write  oftener  and  give 
me  all  the  news  you  can.  Please  to  make  my  best  com- 
pliments to  Mr  &  M":^  Green  and  any  body  else  you 
please. 

Your  friends  here  are  all  well. 
I  am  D^  Philip, 

Your  friend 

Andrew  Hunter. 

^  It  is  said  by  President  Ashbel  Green,  that  "  the  method  of  instruction 
by  lectures  had  never  been  practised  in  this  institution  till  it  was  introduced  by 
Dr.  Witherspoon  ",  and  that  "  he  delivered  lectures  on  four  different  subjects, 
namely,  on  Composition,  Taste,  and  Criticism,  on  Moral  Philosophy,  on  Chron- 
ology and  History,  and  on  Divinity."  Of  this  Maclean  says,  in  his  History 
of  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  "We  are  inclined  to  doubt  the  accuracy  of  the 
statement  that  Dr.  Witherspoon  was  the  first  at  this  College  to  use  the  method 
of  teaching  by  lecture,  as  something  very  like  it  must  have  been  employed  by 
President  Edwards  on  the  few  occasions  on  which  he  met  the  students.  And 
in  his  letter  of  October  19,  1757,  to  the  Trustees,  he  expresses  his  willingness 
in  case  he  should  accept  their  offer,  '  to  do  the  whole  work  of  a  Professor  of 
Divinity  in  public  and  private  lectures'.'''  (Maclean,  Hist.  College  of  New 
Jersey,  V.  I.  388.) 


30  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

[Israel  Evans  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau  Hall  J  any  25'^  1773. 
My  D?  Philip, 

I  thank  you  for  taking  notice  of  me,  but  am  afraid 
you  will  have  too  much  reason  to  account  me  ungrate- 
ful before  you  receive  this  letter. 

Believe  me  I  wish  you  well,  I  hope  you  enjoy  the 
comfortable  presence  of  God  which  alone  can  make  us 
chearful  while  we  pass  thro'  this  waste  howling  wilder- 
ness, you  know  my  friend  it  is  an  easy  thing  to  make  a 
profession  of  Religion,  but  the  great  difficulty  is  to  im- 
bibe the  spirit  of  Christianity,  to  maintain  a  secret  walk 
with  God  and  be  holy  as  he  is  holy. 

I  have  some  things  to  tell  you  which  will  not  give 
you  any  pleasure,  stealing  of  Turkieshas  been  too  much 
practiced  this  winter.  Glover  has  been  expelled,  and 
Jones,  with  King,  Livingston,^  and  some  others  have 
been  fined  by  the  civil  magistrate ;  some  of  the  persons 
mentioned  you  know  were  hopelessly  converted  but 
there  is  no  knowing  who  is  converted  only  by  their 
after  conduct  in  life,  such  things  however  open  the 
mouths  of  the  enemies  of  religion.  It  is  a  great  work 
to  change  the  carnal  heart  and  if  so  many  bid  fair  for 
the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  yet  come  short,  what  reason 
for  strict  and  frequent  examination  in  order  to  know 
whether  we  be  in  the  faith  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Last  week  Hire's  house ^  was  burnt  down.     It  took 

'  No  doubt  Henry'  Brockholst  Livingston,  class  of  1774,  who  afterward 
became  a  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  Supreme  Court. 

^  This  was  the  famous  "  Hudibras  "  tavern,  where  President  Adams  stop- 
ped on  his  visit  to  Princeton,  August  27,  1774.  It  was  kept  by  Col.  Jacob 
Hyer,  (sometimes  spelled  Hire),  a  prominent  patriot  of  the  Revolution.  For 
an  account  of  this  visit  see  the  diary  of  Mr.  Adams  in  Life  and  Works  of 
John  Adams,  V.  2,  355-356  ;  also  Hageman's  Princeton  and  its  Institutions, 
V.  2,  39. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  3 1 

fire  by  some  accident  about  four  in  the  morning.  All 
that  Students  and  people  could  do  could  not  prevent  it 
from  being  consumed.  Hire  sustained  considerable  loss 
in  goods  and  provision,  but  the  house  you  know  was 
not  his.     I  am,  dear  Sir,  Yours,  &c. 

Israel  Evans. ^ 


[Oliver  Reese  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

RocKV-HiLL  Feby  5'^  1773. 
Dear  little  Philip. 

I  received  your  last  letter  just  as  I  was  going  to  set 
out  to  conduct  the  lovely  A.  M.  A.  N.  D.  A.  from 
Prince-ton  to  Trenton  you  will  readily  conclude  that  I 
was  in  a  most  agreeable  mode,  and  therefore  I  read 
your  letter  with  more  than  ordinary  satisfaction. 

I  have  spent  a  very  agreeable  winter  so  far,  I  have 
went  to  princeton  three  times  every  week  when  the 
weather  would  permit,  I  have  been  at  Trenton  eight 
times  I  think  since  I  saw  you,  I  mean  I  have  been  per- 
sonally there  eight  times,  but  to  tell  you  how  often  my 
heart  has  been  there,  it  would  take  two  large  volumes 

^  Israel  Evans  was  graduated  at  Princeton  College  with  Fithian  in  1772. 
At  the  time  of  this  letter  he  was  studying  Theology  under  Dr.  Witherspoon,  in 
Princeton.  During  the  Revolution  he  served  as  chaplain  in  the  New  Hampshire 
brigade,  at  first  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Enoch  Poor.  From  the  State 
Papers  we  copy  the  following  notice  (A^.  H.  Provincial  and  State  Papers^ 
V.  X,    38,  note  I.)  : 

"  The  Rev.  Israel  Evans  was  at  this  time  (Sept.  7,  1791)  minister  of  Con- 
cord, and  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.  .  .  .  He  was  a  great  admirer 
and  friend  of  Gen.  Washington.  It  is  related  that  in  his  last  sickness,  being 
visited  by  Rev.  Dr.  McFarland,  the  latter  prayed  for  him,  '  That  at  life's  close 
he  might  sit  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac  and  Jacob  in  the  kingdom  of  God.'  To 
which  Mr.  Evans  audibly  added,  '  and  with  Gen.  Washington,  too.'  He  died 
in  Concord,  March  gth,  1807,  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age." 


32  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

in  folio  as  big  as  Coethegon's  universal  history  of  arts 
and  sciences  ;  to  contain  the  numbers,  I  suppose  now 
you  will  begin  to  conclude  that  I  am  making  but  poor 
proficiency  in  my  studies,  but  do  not  mistake  yourself  I 
read  much,  I  study  divinity  one  hour  and  think  of  the 
ladies  the  next,  so  that  in  a  short  time  I  expect  to  be  a 
most  eminent  Divine,  I  have  preached  one  sermon  before 
the  Doct.*:  and  graduates,  but  I  much  question  if  they 
get  me  to  preach  another. 

Next  summer  I  purpose  to  live  in  Trenton  and  then 
I  shall  become  quite  good.  If  it  is  possible  for  me  to 
come  and  see  you  in  the  spring  I  will. 

As  I  have  entrusted  you  with  more  than  any  other 
person  so  if  I  could  now  see  you  I  would  tell  what  I 
will  tell  no  other  person.  Oh!  Philip,  Philip,  I  wish 
you  may  be  able  to  give  me  as  good  an  account  of  your 
suits  with  your  charming  Laura  -----  guess  the 
rest 

Write  often,  and  expect  the  same  from  your  loving 

Friend, 

Oliver  Reese. 


[William   Smith  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau  Hall  Febr  28'.i^  1773. 


Sir. 


There  came  to  hand  the  23^  of  Feby  a  letter 
directed  to  me,  which,  before  I  unseal'd,  afforded  me 
the  pleasure  (if  I  may  call  it  so)  of  some  conjectures 
concerning  the  person  that  might  have  wrote  it,  but  not 
being  able  to  keep  my  mind  long  in  suspence,  I  opened 
the  letter  and  was  very  agreeably  surprised  to  see 
Philip  Fithian  subscribed ;   tho  I  must  needs  say  I  felt 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  33 

a  little  vexed  at  the  same  time  that  I  had  not  long  ago 
put  myself  into  such  a  situation  by  writing  to  you  as 
that  I  might  reasonably  have  expected  much  sooner  the 
satisfaction  I  enjoyed  in  reading  your  letter;  but  I 
have  indeed  been  so  busy  since  vacancy,  that  I  have  not 
hardly  had  time  to  think  of  my  favorites ;  I  had  not 
wrote  a  line  home  since  I  left  it  last  'till  a  very  few  days 
ago,  and  in  a  short  time  I  shall  return  again. 

Your  conjecture  respecting  my  appearance  upon 
the  stage  was  very  true,  I  have  shown  my  shapes  there 
twice  already,  and  once  no  later  than  yesterday  even- 
ing, and  I  flatter  myself  it  would  afford  you  a  very 
particular  pleasure  to  hear  that  we  make  out  well,  which 
I  believe  I  may  venture  to  say  is  the  case,  if  our  best 
judges  speak  the  sentiments  of  their  minds :  our  class  is 
divided  into  two  parts,  and  I  heard  it  said  yesterday 
evening  after  we  had  done  speaking  (it  was  by  a  gentle- 
man of  your  class)  that  our  part  had  far  exceeded  any- 
thing he  ever  heard  in  the  Hall;  and  the  time  we  spoke 
before,  it  was  generally  reported  by  those  who  heard 
us  that  it  was  not  possible  to  do  better  than  we  did,  but 
perhaps  it  will  hardly  be  thought  proper  to  mention 
even  what  other  people  say  of  us,  only  that  I  know  you 
would  be  glad  to  know  how  well  we  do,  therefore  I 
mention  it  to  you. 

M'^  Baldwin^  does  not  give  us  the  very  best  But- 

'  This  was  Jonathan  Baldwin,  the  College  steward.  He  was  a  resident  of 
Princeton,  and  graduated  at  Nassau  Hall,  in  the  class  of  1755.  Jonathan  Baldwin 
was  a  prominent  patriot,  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  in  1775,  and  in 
177S  was  entrusted  by  Gov.  Livingston  with  the  distribution  of  balls  and 
cartridges  for  the  use  of  the  army.  While  steward  of  the  College,  or  a  mer- 
chant of  the  town,  he  became  involved  in  the  violation  of  the  act  of  1777, 
passed  by  the  Legislature  at  Princeton,  limiting  the  price  of  certain  articles. 
He  was  summoned  before  the  Council  of  Safety,  at  Princeton,  for  selling  sugar 
at  a  higher  rate  than  the  law  allowed,  and  was  fined  by  the  Council.  (Hage- 
vCi^xUs  Princeton  and  its  Institutions.     V.  L  74-75.) 


34  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

ter  now  more  than  he  formerly  did,  and  some  of  the 
students  to  be  up  with  him  made  his  image  of  Butter 
and  hung  it  up  by  the  neck  in  the  dining  room,  William 
was  kind  enough  to  carry  it  over  to  him  and  let  him  see 
it,  which  I  believe  does  not  sit  very  easy  upon  his 
stomach. 

M^  Houston^  is  trying  to  instill  philosophy  into 
our  heads,  and  I  assure  you  I  dont  think  it  by  any  means 
a  disagreeable  study. 

M^  Hyer's  house  was  burnt  down  about  a  week  or 
two  ago,  and  M^   Patersons  saved  with  much  difficulty. 

There  are  none  of  the  ladies  here  married  yet,  at 
least  to  my  knowledge,  tho'  it  is  reported  there  are  two 
couple  married  in  a  private  manner;  and  which  would 
you  think  if  one  of  your  class  mates  is  one  of  them. 

This  is  all  the  news  I  can  tell  you  at  present. 
From  sir,  your  very 
affectionate  friend 

and  humble  Serv^ 

WiLL^i  Smith.  2 

P.  S.      I  hope  you  will 
pardon  the  incorrectness 
of  this  hasty  letter. 


^William  Churchill  Houston,  class  of  1768,  was  Professor  of  Mathe- 
matics and  Natural  Philosophy  from  1771  until  he  resigned  in  1783  to  take  up 
the  practice  of  law,  removing  to  Trenton.  In  1776  upon  the  dispersion  of  the 
students,  when  the  British  invaded  the  town,  Houston  took  command  of  a 
scouting  party,  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  the  counties  of  Hunterdon 
and  Somerset.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Safety  in  Princeton,  in 
1778,  and  was  sent  to  Congress  as  a  delegate  from  the  County  of  Middlesex, 
1779-81,  and  in  1784.  He  died  at  Frankfort,  Pa.,  in  1788.  (Hageman's 
Princeton  and  its  Institutions,  V.  I.  93.) 

'William  R.  Smith,   a  member  of  the  class  of  1773,  was  afterward  an 

ordained  minister. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  35 

[Andrew  Hunter,   Jr.,   to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau-Hall  June  26'>  1773. 
Sir. 

I^  expected  notwithstanding  your  small  offence  you 
would  have  let  me  know  before  this  time  whether  you 
had  made  any  determination  different  from  what  you 
designed  when  I  left  you.  If  you  design  teaching  be- 
fore you  get  into  business,  there  are  now  several  con- 
siderable offers  made  to  young  men  who  are  willing  to 
go  to  Virginia  by  some  of  the  first  gentlemen  in  the 
colony  ;  one  particularly  who  will  give  as  good  as  60  £ 
the  best  accommodations,  a  room  to  study  in  and  the 
advantage  of  a  library,  a  horse  kept  and  a  servant  to 
wait  upon  you. 

D":  Witherspoon  is  very  fond  of  getting  a  person 
to  send  him.  I  make  no  kind  of  doubt  but  if  you  were 
to  write  to  the  doctor  that  he  would  engage  it  to  you, 
the  terms  are  exactly  as  I  write  you  as  I  have  informed 
myself  that  I  might  let  you  know. 

There  are  a  number  of  our  friends  and  class-mates 
getting  into  business  as  fast  as  possible,  whether  they 
are  called  or  not  I  cannot  pretend  to  judge,  this  much 
I  would  say  that  I  think  it  is  not  any  ones  duty  to  run 
too  fast.  No  less  than  four  Debow,  Reese,  McCorkle, 
Allen,  under  trials  by  a  presbetry,  and  Bryan ^  trying 
to  get  license  to  plead  law  in  some  of  the  best  courts  on 

'  This  letter  is  from  Andrew  Hunter  Jr.  to  Philip  Fithian,  informing  him 
of  the  opportunity  of  going  into  Virginia  as  a  private  tutor.  The  gentleman 
particularly  referred  to  is  Robert  Carter  of  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia, 
whose  offer  Fithian  afterward  accepted,  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  Wither- 
spoon. 

-  Debow,  Reese,  McCorkle,  Allen,  and  Brj-an  were  all  graduated  at  Nas- 
sau Hall  in  1772,  and  were  afterward  ordained  except  Andrew  Bryan. 


36  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

the  continent,  if  infamy  were  law  or  lies  were  Gospel 
he  might  get  license  either  to  plead  or  preach. 

We  'have  had  the  pleasure  of  Laura's^  company 
here  for  some  weeks  past,  I  hope  you  will  not  envy  us 
considering  that  continual  pleasure  is  too  much  for  such 
mortals  as  we  to  bear. 

I  beg  that  you  may  no  longer  refrain  from  writing, 
as  I  should  be  very  glad  to  hear  many  things  from  you 
and  other  of  my  friends  in  Cohansie  which  you  can  re- 
late with  little  trouble.  If  you  have  been  trying  with 
me  who  could  keep  from  writing  longest,  I  own  fairly 
beat.     The   number  of  our   students  are   considerably 

increased,  and  our  school  consists  of  thirty-nine 

1    have    heard    there    are    some    disagreeable 


stories  going  through  our  country  I  wish  you  would  let 
me  know  something  about  them.      Doct^  Ward  spent 
part  of  yesterday  with  me  in  his  return. 
My  love  to  Ml.  and  M.?  Green. 
I  am,  sir, 

Your  very  friend, 

Andtt  Hunter. 


Sir. 


[Philip  Fithian  to  Andrew  Hunter,   Jr.] 

Deerfield,  July  3,  1773. 


I  am  sorry  you  impute  neglect  of  writing  in  me  to 
so  wrong  a  cause,  as  an  old  trivial  offence,  I  confess  that 
I  am  to  blame,  and  am  willing  to  stand  reproved  by  you, 

'  This  was  Elizabeth  Beatty,  who  is  often  referred  to  under  this  name. 
She  frequently  visited  her  brother,  Dr.  John  Beatty,  who  resided  at  Princeton. 
It  was  at  his  home  that  she  was  married  to  Philip  Fithian,  October  25th,  1775, 
the  service  being  performed  by  Dr.  Witherspoon.  The  evidence  is  that  at  this 
date  (October  25th,  1775)  Dr.  Beatty  was  living  with  his  wife  at  her  fathers 
(Richard  Longstreet's)  home,  near  Princeton.  This  old  house  is  still  standing, 
and  is  now  the  property  of  Boyd  van  Doren. 


Old  Longstkeet  House 
Princeton   N.    j. 


W9 


.\M^. 


Cohan 


A :. 


INTER, 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  37 

for  having  been  so  long  silent.  If  I  should  offer  any- 
thing in  excuse  it  would  be  great  hurry  arising  from  the 
duty  of  my  station,  on  which  account  I  have  wrote  only 
two  or  three  letters  since  you  left  us.  The  school  in 
town,  which  I  had  in  view,  as  I  make  no  doubt  you 
know,  is  now  occupied  by  M":  Lynn.  And  the  terms 
of  the  school  at  Blandensburg  are  I  think  too  low,  to 
divert  me  from  the  course  of  my  business.  I  could  not 
however  forego  a  good  offer  in  a  school  abroad,  for 
some  short  time.  What  you  write  concerning  the  offer 
of  a  Gentleman  in  Virginia,  is,  I  think  of  considerable 
consequence,  provided  the  conditions  of  teaching  are 
not  over  burdensome ;  I  should  speedily  agree  to  go 
and  apply  for  the  place,  were  I  satisfied  as  to  this. 

I  shall  however,  beg  the  assistance  of  your  friend- 
ship, to  enquire  in  what  county  the  school  is;  what 
numbers  and  degrees  of  scholars  there  are;  and  if  you 
think  the  place  suitable,  and  if  the  Docter  shall  think 
proper  to  appoint  me  to  it  I  am  not  unwilling  to  remove 
and  accept  it.  Please  to  mention  this  to  the  Docter; 
and  if  he  has  not  engaged  a  teacher,  and  is  pleased  to 
accept  me,  I  hope  you  will  acquaint  me  as  speedily  as 
ma}-  be,  with  what  you  can  learn  as  to  the  time  of  be- 
ginning, the  custom  of  the  school,  &c.  You  mentioned 
four  in  your  last,  who  have  applied  to  Presbytery,  and 
are  on  tryal,  I  can  tell  you  another,  M^  Heith ;  he 
applied  to  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery  but  came  to 
town,  I  understood  so  late,  that  before  he  made  applica- 
tion the  Presbytery  was  dissolved,  some  of  the  Mem- 
bers however,  being  still  in  town,  at  his  request,  gave 
him  sundry  pieces  of  exercise,  which  it  is  expected  the 
Presbyter}-  will  acknowledge,  so  that  he  is  the  fifth  out 
of  our  class  who  is  designing  soon  to  appear  in  public! 
I  am  Sir  yours,  &c 

Philip  .V.  Fithian 


38  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

[William  Smith  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau  Hall  July  27'^  1773. 
Honest  Man. 

When  these  few  lines  come  to  hand  you  may  swear 
O,  I  beg  your  pardon,   I  had  almost  forgot 


that  Parsons  never  swear  any however  you  may  be 

sure  your  honest  old  friend  William  Richmond  Smith 
was  in  the  land  of  the  living,  when  he  wrote  them,  tho 
they  may  indeed  look  like  anough  a  dead  mans  scrawl, 
but  you  know  there  are  no  posts  or  stages  in  the  other 
world  by  which  you  could  expect  a  letter  from  me,  un- 
less you  should  imagine  that  1  called  to  bate  my  horse 
at  Paddy's  aunts  who  keeps  a  tavern  a  little  ways  on 
this  side  of  Purgatory  and  there  hired  a  boy  to  bring 
you  back  word  how  It  fared  with  me  so  far  on  my 
journey  ;  (no  bad  conjecture  upon  my  word)  tho'  it  does 
not  happen  to  be  the  case;  But  if  I  minded  in  the  land 
of  the  living  it  is  well,  for  old  Mors  has  had  me  just  at 
the  point  of  his  Scythe  many  a  time  since  I  saw  you ; 
tho'  I  kick  and  scuffle  most  notoriously  and  have  hith- 
erto held  my  ground  tho'  with  some  sore  blows,  even 
until!  my  phiz  in  a  great  measure  resembles  the  old 
Gentleman's. 

You  said  in  your  last  you  expected  to  see  me  in 
August,  so  I  hoped  some  time  ago  myself,  but  one  or 
two  of  my  class  mates  who  formerly  went  to  school  at 
my  fathers  told  me  they  would  go  home  with  me  and 
spend  a  week  or  two  I  could  not  consistent  with  good 
manners  refuse  them,  but  I  have  not  lost  all  hopes  of 
seeing  you  sometime  at  Deerfield  tho'  dont  know  when. 

There  have  been  indeed  many  altercations,'  involu- 
tions, and  changes  since  you  left  Nassau  Hall,  in  the 
first  place  as  to  the  Town  itself  it  is  making  vast  strides 

'  Doubtless  alterations  is  intended. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  39 

towards  being  a  sea  port-town;  M"?  Field  has  erected 
a  very  brilliant  house  between  Gaa's'  and  Plumbs  I 
wish  travelers  may  not  mistake  it  for  the  College. 
And  Mounteer  Esq.":  has  built  himself  a  little  Tower 
nearly  opposite  to  Mr  Hie's^  I  suppose  to  rival  him, 
his  slaughter  house  I  believe  was  built  before  you  went 
away,  which  thro'  the  multiplicity  of  his  custom  he  has 

converted  into  a  shade  for  horses Plumb 

has  got  his  house  new  fronted  and  painted  so  that  if 
your  eyes  are  not  uncommonly  strong  when  you  come 
to  Princeton  you  may  chance  to  lose  them 

Paterson  has  this  summer  made  considerable  addi- 
tion to  his  house. 

Maning  his  next  door  neighbour  has  repaired  his 

old  house  and  built  a  new  one And  a  little  ways 

further  down  the  street  there  is  another  new  one  built 
but  whose  it  is  I  cannot  tell,  and  a  little  further  down 
still  somebody  else  has  painted  their  house  a  new  so 
that  it  cuts  a  flaming  dash. 

Potter  has  made  considerable  amendments  on  his 
castle  ;  and  Whitehead  has  built  a  waggon  house  for  his 
coach. 

As  to  our  new  steward  I  think  it  is  out  of  the  fry- 
ing-pan plump  into  the  fire.  I  am  just  come  from  the 
Hall  where  I  have  been  singing. 

"  Those  wand' ring  cisterns  in  the  sk}- 
Borne  by  the  winds  around. 
With  wat'ry  treasures  well  supply 
The  furrows  of  the  ground." 

'  The  names  of  Gilbert  Gaa,  William  Mountier,  Richard  Patterson,  and 
W.  Whitehead,  appear  in  a  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Princeton  to  the 
New  Jersey  Assembl)-,  under  the  date  of  July  22,  1758,  complaining  of  an 
excessive  quartering  of  British  troops  in  the  town.  See  Hageman's  Prince- 
ton and  its  Institutions,  V.  I,  64. 

'  Probably  intended  for  Hyer,  the  keeper  of  the  Hudibras  Inn. 


40  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

The  other  evening  we  had  a  pleasant  shower  after 
long  expectation  and  ever  since,  the  Doctor  has  been 
praising,  returning  thanks  and  singing  about  it,  and  not 
without  good  reason  for  his  turnip-patch  and  corn- 
gardens  seem  since  to  have  put  on  a  fresh  bloom. 

In  three  weeks  time  our  examination  comes  on  I 
wish  it  was  past. 

I  wish  I  had  more  time  to  tell  you  more  news,  but 
as  I  have  not  I  must  yield  to  fate  and  tell  you  I  am  as 
usual 

Your  affectionate 

William  Smith. 


[Philip  Fithian  to  Dr.  Witherspoon.] 

Greenwich  august  3o':^  1773. 

Rev?.^  Sir. 

I  am  sorry  that  I  may  inform  you  of  the  dissattis- 
faction  which  my  friends  in  general  since  my  return 
home  seem  to  discover,  with  my  intention  of  going  this 
fall  to  Virginia.  However  willing  I  am  myself  to 
accept  the  proposal  and  go,  it  will  not  be  easy  to  break 
through  the  entreaties  of  those  who  are  my  nearest 
relations,  and  who  have  all  along,  with  the  warmest 
friendship  interested  themselves  to  procure  my  welfare. 
I  do  not  intend  by  any  means,  abruptly  to  decline  the 
fulfilling  my  agreement,  but  only  to  desire  to  know,  if 
there  are  not  some  to  be  found  among  the  late  Seniors 
who  would  willingly  discharge  me  by  accepting  the 
offer  themselves.  If  not  I  have  only  further  to  beg, 
that  you   would  be    pleased,    Rev^.    Sir,   to  favour  me 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  4I 

with  the  proposal  of  the  gentleman ;  and  so  soon  as 
there  is  a  return  from  him,  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  the 
time  when  1  must  leave  home; 

I  am  Rev?.  Sir, 

with  great  respect, 

your  humble  Serv'. 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 

P.  S.  Letters  come  safe  sent  by  the  princeton  stage, 
and  directed  to  me  at  Greenwich. 


[Andrew   Hunter,   Jr.,   to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Nassau  Hall  Sepf:  6'}}  1773. 
D?  Sir. 

I  am  ver}^  sorry  that  I  cannot  answer  your  letter  so 
much  to  your  satisfaction  as  I  could  desire.  Doctor 
Witherspoon  is  gone  to  New-England  to  the  convention 
and  is  not  expected   home  'till   the   latter  end  of  this 

week he  received  no  account  from  Virginia  before 

he  went  from  home.  You  may  trust  that  I  will  let  you 
know  whenever  I  can  hear  anything  related  to  your 
prospect  of  going  to  the  southward. 

M':  Imlay^  is  gone  from  College  and  is  not  ex- 
pected back  'till  near  commencement,  however  I  have 
talked  with  some  of  his  acquaintances,  and  they  say  he 
expects  to  go. 

I  would  have  the  spelling  of  your  name  corrected, 
but  the  catalogue  is  sent  off,  and  I  suppose  by  this  time 
is  in  the  press.  I  thank  you  for  the  good  news  you 
give  me  concerning  the  young  lady's  health. 

*  William  Eugene  Imlay,  who  graduated  in  1773. 


42  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

I  was  very  uneasy  about  the  account  we  heard 
before  you  left  princeton. 

We  go  on  pretty  well  in  College,  but  I  hope  we 
shall  have  two  or  three  of  the  possessed  swine  turned  off 
when  the  Doctor  comes  home. 

Do  write  me  every  week  and  give  what  news  you 
can. 

I  am,  Sir, 

Your  friend. 

ANDyr  Hunter. 


[William  Smith  to  Philip  Fithian.] 

Philadelphia,  Oct^  3^  i773- 
FuTURUS  Pedegog'issimus. 

Fe  —  o — whiraw,  whiraw,  hi,  fal,  lal,  fal,  lal  de  lal 

dal  a  fine  song commencement  is  over  whiraw  I  say 

again  whiraw,  whiraw. 

And  what  is  more  never  was  there  such  a  com- 
mencement^ at  princeton  before  and  most  likely  never 
will  be  again.     The  galeries  were  cracking  every  now 

'  At  this  date  the  annual  commencement  was  held  in  the  fall,  and  it  be- 
came the  great  public  holiday  of  the  year,  attended  by  thousands  of  people. 
Owing  to  the  many  evils  consequent  upon  so  large  a  gathering,  the  college 
authorities,  in  1844,  decided  to  change  the  time  from  the  latter  part  of  Septem- 
ber to  June,  which  was  accordingly  done.  President  Maclean  in  his  History  of 
the  College  of  New  Jersey  (V.  2,  81)  referring  to  this  change,  says  in  part  : 

"  Eating,  drinking,  dancing,  and  fiddling,  playing  for  pennies  and  testing 
the  speed  of  their  horses  were  the  amusements  in  which  no  small  numbers  of 
those  assembled  on  such  occasions  were  wont  to  indulge,  and  when  a  lad,  the 
writer  once  witnessed  a  bull-baiting  on  the  college  grounds,  while  the  exer- 
cises were  going  on  in  the  church  .  .  .  But  from  all  these  unhappy  accom- 
paniments of  the  commencement  exercises,  the  college  was  entirely  relieved  by 
simply  changing  the  commencement  from  the  last  Wednesday  in  September,  to 
the  last  Wednesday  in  June." 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  43 

and  then  all  day every  mouse  hole  in  the  church 

was  cram'd  full The  stage  covered  with  Gentle- 
men and  ladies  amongst  whom  was  the  Governor'  and 
his  lady;   and  that  he  might  not  appear  singular   Lee^ 

was  stiff  with  lace,  gold-lace 

A  band  of  music  from  Philadelphia  assisted  to 
make  all  agreeable  and  to  crown  the  whole  the  elo- 
quence of  Demosthenes  was  heared  in  almost  every  mans 
mouth,  so  that  the  person  who  spoke  last  was  always 

the  hero  of  the  tale O  murder!   what  shall  I  do  I 

want  to  say  a  great  deal  to  you  but  cannot  for  the  girls 

who  are  almost  distracting  my   heart O   murder! 

murder,  murder  I  say  what  will  become  of  me,  murder, 

murder I  shall  go  distracted 1  saw  Dr.  Beaty  ^ 

and    Betsy I    gave   your    love    to    them and 

indeed  to  tell  you  the  truth  I  could  not  for  my  life  help 

leaving  my  own  heart,  and  love,  and  all  with  Betsy 

she  is  really  a  sweet  soul.  I  wish  ten  millions  and  she 
were  mine,  I  should  be  a  happy  creature,  happy  indeed 

to  the  last  degree 1  got  cleverly  up  from  cohansie 

early  in  the  evening My  love  ten  thousand  times 

and  ten  thousand  kisses  to  ail  the  girls  of  my  acquaint- 
ance. 

I  cannot  quit  but  must 

WiLL";^  R.  Smith. 

^William  Franklin,  the  last  royal  governor  of  New  Jersey,  from  1753  un- 
til the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution. 

'Henry  Lee  of  the  class  of  1773,  afterward  governor  of  Virginia. 

'  Dr.  John  Beatty  of  Princeton,  and  Elizabeth  Beatty  his  sister,  afterward 
Mrs.  Philip  Fithian. 


JOURNAL  IN  VIRGINIA 

1773— 1774 


THE  CONTINUATION^  OF  MY 
JOURNAL. 

Wednesday  October  20*!^  HIS- 

Left  Greenwich  by  six  in  the  Morning.  Rode  to 
Michael  Hoshel's  8  Miles.  Thence,  M^  Hoshel  &  John 
Peck^  along,  rode  to  Quinton's-Bridge  8  Miles.  Ex- 
pence  there  i/:  Rode  thence  to  Penn's-Neck  Ferry  by 
two  o'clock  10  Miles.  Expence  at  Toll-Bridge  /2.  Fer- 
riage over  Delaware  4/6.  Oats  &  Cordial  in  New-Cas- 
tle 1/2.  Rode  thence  to  Mr.  Achan's  Tavern  12  Miles. 
Whole  distance  38  Miles.     Whole  Expence  6/10. 

(TJinrsday)  Octob:  21. 

Expence  at  Mr.  Achan's  3/4.  Rode  thence  to 
North-East  12  Miles.  Breakfast  1/6.  Thence  to  Ses- 
quehannah  10  Miles.  Ferriage  i/:  Oats  /g.  At  Bush- 
Town  by  4  o'clock  12  Miles.  Whole  Distance  34 
Miles.     Whole  Expence  6/^. 

Fryday  22d. 

Expence  at  Bush-Town  4-/2.  Rode  thence  to  a 
small,  mean  Tavern  to  Breakfast,  13  Miles Expence 

'  Continued  from  Fithian's  juvenile  diary,  kept  in  lyGy-'bg.  The  above 
journal  opens  with  an  account  of  his  journey  from  Greenwich,  New  Jersey,  to 
Councillor  Carter's  home  in  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia.  As  has  been 
mentioned  in  the  introduction,  Fithian  passed  the  time  after  graduation  from 
college  and  before  going  into  Virginia  to  teach,  in  the  study  of  Theology  at 
Greenwich. 

^John  Peck  graduated  at  Princeton  in  1774,  and  afterward  succeeded 
Fithian  as  tutor  at  Nomini  Hall.  He  subsequently  married  Ann  Tasker, 
daughter  of  Councillor  Carter  (the  "Nancy"  of  this  journal),  and  settled  in 
Richmond  County,  Virginia. 


48  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

1/6.  Thence  to  Baltimore  by  one  o-Clock  13  Miles. 
Whole  Distance  26  Miles Whole  Expence  5/8. 

Saturday  2jd. 

Expence  at  Baltimore  /5/j.  Rode  and  forded  Petap- 
sko  to  a  small  Tavern  15  Miles.  Expence  ////.  Rode 
thence  to  Blandensburg^  23  Miles.  Whole  Distance 
38  Miles.     Whole  Expence  17/2. 

Sunday  2^. 

Expence   at    Blandensburg  5/7.     Rode  thence   to 

George-town  8  Miles.    Expence  1/16.    Ferriage  /6. 

From  thence  we  rode  by  Alexandria,  9  Miles Thence 

to  Colchester  18  Miles Dined Expence  j/p.  Fer- 
riage /6.  Rode  thence  to  Dumfries  10  Miles.  Whole 
distance  45  Miles.     Whole  Expence  11/^. 

Monday  25. 

Expence  at  Dumfries  4/5.  Rode  thence  to  Aquia 
10  Miles.  Expence  2//}. Rode  thence  to  Stafford- 
Court-House  12  Miles.  Whole  Distance  22  Miles. 
Whole  Expence  6/6. 

Teusday  26. 

Expence  at  Stafford  j/.  Stopped  at  Colonel 
Thomas  Lee's,  ^  only  a  few  Rods  from  Stafford  Tavern. 
Continued  there  all  da}^  and  the  following  Night.  Ex- 
pence  to  Day  5/. 

'  Bladensburg  Md.  ;  famous  afterward  as  the  scene  of  many  duels,  the 
most  notorious  being  the  fatal  Decatur-Barron  affair. 

'Col.  Thomas  Ludvvell  Lee  (1730-78),  fourth  son  of  President  Thomas 
Lee,  and  brother  of  Richard  Henry,  was  conspicuous  as  a  patriot  and  a  lawyer. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses ;  of  the  Convention  of  July  and 
December,  1775  ;  and  of  the  Committee  of  Safety.  He  was  also  a  member  o^ 
the  committee  appointed  to  draft  a  declaration  of  rights,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  was  one  of  the  five  judges  of  the  General  Court.  (Grigsby's  Virginia 
Convention  of  1776,  131.) 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  49 

Wednesday  2j. 

Expence  to  boy  i/.     Rode  from  Mr.  Lees  to  a  small 

poor  Ordinary   13   Miles Expence /i?  for  Oats 

Rode  thence,  without   feeding  to  Captain  Cheltons.  on 

the  Potowmack  32  Miles Whole  Distance  45  Miles. 

Whole  Expence  1/8. 

Thursday  28. 

Rode  after  Breakfast  to  the  Honorable  Rob:  Car- 
ters^ the  End  of  my  Journey;  12  Miles,  by  tvvo- 
o'Clock  in  the  Afternoon.  Both  Myself,  and  my  Horse 
seem  neither  tired  nor  Dispirited Occasional  Ex- 
penses on  the  Road.  In  Baltimore  for  some  Buff-Ball 
1/6.  In  Blandensburg  for  having  straps  put  to  my 
Saddle-Bags  j/.  In  Colchester  for  Shaving  and  Dress- 
i/j.  The  whole  j/p.  So  that  my  whole  distance  ap- 
pears to  be  260  Miles,  performed  in  seven  Days.  And 
my  whole  Expence  appears  to  be 

;^      S      D 
3  .  .  6.  .  6. 

Fryday  2g. 

Settled  myself  in  the  Room  appointed  me and 

adjusted  my  affairs  after  my  Ride. 

Saturday  JO. 

Rode  with  M^:  Carters  eldest  Son  to  a  Store, 
about  seven  Miles — Bought  half  a  Box  of  Wafers  for 

// And  a  quire  of  paper  for  1/6.     Dined  at  three 

And   rode   into  Richmond    Parish   15  Miles  to  M": 

Fantleroys Was   introduced  to  M^    Fantleroy 


two  of  his  Sons M^  Christian  a  dancing  Master. 

^  Robert  Carter  of  Nomini  Hall,  called  "Councillor."      For  biographical 
sketch,  see  introduction. 


so  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

Sunday  ji . 

Rode  to  Church  six  Miles Heard  M^  Gibbern ' 

preach  on  Felixes  trembling  at  Pauls  Sermon. 

Monday  Novenf.   ist. 

We  began  School The  School  consists  of  eight 

Two  of  M":  Carters  Sons One  Nephew^ And 

five  Daughters The  eldest  Son  is  reading   Salust: 

Gramatical  Exercises,  and  latin  Grammer- The  second 

Son  is  reading  english   Grammar  &   Reading   English  : 

Writing  and  Cyphering  in  Subtraction The  Nephew 

is  Reading  and   Writing  as  above;   and    Ciphering  in 

Reduction The    eldest    daughter  is    Reading    the 

Spectator;   Writing;    &  beginning  to  Cypher The 

second  is  reading  next  out  of  the  Spelling-Book,  and 
beginning  to  write The  next  is  reading  in  the  Spel- 
ling-Book  the  fourth  is  Spelling  in  the  beginning  of 

the  Spelling-Book And  the  last  is  beginning   her 

letters. 

Tens  day  i. 

Busy  in  School begun  to  read  Pictete.^ 

Wednesday  ;^. 

Busy  in  School. 

Thursday  /j.. 

Busy     in     School To    day     the     two    eldest 

daughters,  and  second  Son  attended  the  Dancing  School. 

'Rev.  Isaac  William  Giberne,  rector  of  Lunenburg  Parish  from  1762,  for 
perhaps  twenty  years.  He  was  an  Englishman  (said  to  have  been  a  nephew 
of  the  Bishop  of  Durham},  a  man  of  much  wit  and  talent,  and  noted  for  his 
convivial  habits.     {Am.  Hist.  Review,  V.  5,  No.  2,  292.) 

^  Harry  Willis,  son  of  Councillor  Carter's  sister,  Elizabeth  Carter  Willis. 

'  Benedict  Pictet,   Thcologia  Christiana,    1696. 


•n   Sch' 


incerta 


/f.,  and 

.  I ,  - 

ice  to  I 


")i. 


taken  off 
irning 


Oi.L)  Yeocomuo  Churv  h 
Westmoreland    Coiintv    Viiirinia 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  $1 

Fry  day  5. 

Busy  in  School. 

Saturday  6. 

Catechised  in  School  til  twelve the  Children. 

And  dismissed  them.     Afternoon  rode  with  Ben  Carter 

to  the  Bank  of  Potowmack — 8  miles Returned  in 

the  evening Expence  Ferriage  //. 

Sunday  7. 

Rode  to  Ucomico^  Church 8  Miles Heard 

Parson  Smith.      He   shewed   to   us   the   uncertaint}-    of 

Riches,   and  their  Insufficiency  to  make  us  happy 

Dined  at  Captain   Walkers;   With    Parson   Smith;   his 

wife;   her  Sister,  a  young  Lady;   &;c Returned  in 

the  Evening. 

Monday  8. 

Bus}-  in  School Finished  reading  the  first,   and 

begun  to  read  the  Second  Book  of   Pictetes  Theology. 
Expence  to  Boy  /^. 

Teusday  g. 

Busy  in  School. 

Wednesday  10. 

Busy  in  School The  eldest  Daughter  taken  off 

by   her  teacher  in  Music:    Mj.  Stadley  who  is  learning 
her  to  play  the  Forte-piano. 

^  This  interesting  old  church  still  stands,  having  survived  the  changes  and 
vicissitudes  of  two  centuries.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  homes  of  the  Church  of 
England  in  Virginia,  having  been  built  in  1706  ;  it  is  now  in  good  repair  and 
is  still  regularly  used  as  a  place  of  worship  by  those  of  the  Episcopal  faith.  It 
is  said  that  the  original  silver  communion  service  was  given  by  Queen  Anne. 
For  a  full  account  of  Yeocomico  Church  see  Bishop  Mead's  Old  Churches  of 
Virginia,  II.  148-157.  The  minister  of  Cople  Parish  at  this  time  was  Rev. 
Thomas  Smith.     (Am.  Hist.  Revie-cu,  V.  5,  No.  2.  293.  n.  i.) 


52  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

T/mrsday  11. 

Rose  by  seven Busy  in  School Miss  Carter 

still  absent. 

Fry  day  12. 

Rose  by  Seven Ben  begun  his  Greek  Grammer 

Three   in  the  afternoon  Mf.  Carter  returned  from 

Williamsburg.  He  seems  to  be  agreeable,  discreet,  and 
sensible He  informed  me  more  particularly  concern- 
ing his  desire  as  to  the  Instruction  of  his  Children. 

Saturday  ij. 

Catechised  the  Children  and  dismissed  them  about 
Eleven Read  in  Pictete and  proceeded  in  writ- 
ing my  Sermon  for  the  Presbytery Expence  for  my 

Horse  i/j. 

Sunday  14. 

Rode  to  Nominy  Church  about  six  Miles the 

day  cold Parson  Smith  preached "What  shall 

a  man  be  profited"  &c.     Rode  home  after  Sermon 

Dined  at  M.":  Carters  to  day  M''^  Turbuville,  Miss 
Jenny  Corbin,  and  Mr.  Cunningham  a  young  Merchant. 

Monday  /j. 

Busy  in  School Wrote  in  the  evening   at   my 

Sermon. 

Teusday  16. 

In  School Writing  at  my  Sermon. 

Wednesday  ly . 

Busy  in  School. 
Thursday  18. 

Busy  in  School. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  53 

Fry  day  ig. 

Busy  in  School. 

Saturday  20. 

Rode  to  M^    Fishers    dined    with   M!  Cunningham 

at  3  o-Clock Rode  in  the  evening  to  M"'   Lancelot 

Lees,^  a  young  Gentleman,  who  has  lately  come   from 

England;   sup'd  on  Oysters Rode  home  about  nine 

o-Clock  he  along. 

Sunday  21 . 

Rode   to    Church M^    Smith  preached  on  the 

Parable  of  the  rich  Man.      Dined  at  home M^   Lee 

dined    with    us Reading  in   Pictete Feel    very 

home-sick Saw  two  Brothers  quarrel Doleful 

Sight. 

Monday  22. 

Busy  in  School M":  Lee  gave  us  his  Company 

in  the  morning  in  School,  and  was  very  chearful he 

left  us  about  twelve  o-Clock. 

Teitsday  2j. 

Busy  in  School Miss  Carter  rode  out  with  her 

Dady  and  Mama  to  the  County  Court Writing  at 

my  Sermons. 

Wednesday  2^}.. 

Busy  in  School. 
Thursday  2j. 

Rode  this  morning  to  Richmond  Court-house, 
where  two  Horses  run  for  a  purse  of  500  Pounds :  be- 
sides small  Betts  almost  enumerable. 

^Son  of  George   Lee  of    Mt.    Pleasant,    in  Westmoreland    County,  and 
younger  brother  of  the  George  Lee  mentioned  in  these  pages. 


54  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

One  of  the  Horses  belonged  to  Colonel  John  Tay- 

loe/  and  is  called  Yorick The  other  to  D":  Flood,  and 

is  called  Gift The  Assembly  was  remarkably  num- 
erous; beyond  my  expectation  and  exceeding  polite  in 
general. 

The  horses  started  precisely  at  five  minutes  after 
three ;  the  Course  was  one  Mile  in  Circumference,  they 
performed  the  first  Round  in  two  minutes,  third  in  two 
minutes  and  a-half.  Yorick  came  out  the  fifth  time 
round  about  40  Rod  before  Gift  they  were  both,  when 
the  Riders  dismounted  very  lame ;    they  run  five  Miles, 

and  Carried  180  lb. Rode  home  in  the  evening 

Expence  to  the  Boy  /^\. 

Fry  day  26. 

Busy  in  School Robin,  &  Nancy  at  dancing- 
School. 

Saturday  2"/. 

Robin  and   Nancy  yet  at  Dancing-School Mr 

Harry  Fantleroy  called  after  dinner  to  see  us.  In  the 
evening  Ben  &  I  rode  with  him  to  his  fathers;  I  was 
introduced  to  one  M^  Walker  a  Scotch  Gentleman, 
lately  a  School-master  but  has  quit,  and  is  going  in  the 
Spring  for  the  Gown  to  England . 

Sunday  28. 

Rode  to  Church the  Parson  was  absent  ;   it  is 

indeed  a  little  cold  !      The  Clerk  read  prayers  for  us 

We  rode  home Found  at  Home  two  young  Ladies, 

^  Of  Mt.  Airy  in  Richmond  County,  a  member  of  the  Council  and  one  of 
the  most  noted  turfmen  of  the  state.  Yorick  was  one  of  the  celebrated  horses 
of  the  day.  See  Va.  Hist.  Magazine  V.  II.  293-306: — "  Racing  in  Colon- 
ial Virginia." 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  55 

Miss  Corbin,  and  Miss  Turburville'  and  M^  George 
Lee,''  brother  to  the  Gentleman  here  last  Sunday,    & 

has  lately  returned  from  England 1  was  introduced 

by  M^  Carter  to  the  two  latter. 

Monday  2g. 

All  our    Scholars    present M^  Carter  has   put 

into  mv  hands;  Tyro's  Dictionary,  and  the  pronounc- 
ing Dictionary,  to  improve  his  Sons  in  Grammar 
classically,  both  Latin  and  English,  and  he  has  given 
me  Fennina:  in  Arithmetic. 


't» 


Teusday  30. 

Busy  in  School I  was  solicited  the  other  Day  at 

the  Race  by  one  Mr  Gorden,  to  take  and  instruct  two 
of  his  Sons;  Saturday  also  I  was  again  solicited  by  Mf 
Fantlero}'  to  take  two  of  his  Sons But  I  must  de- 
cline it. 

Wednesday  Decern''.  li'  1773- 

Busy   in   School Wrote  home  by  the  Post,  to 

M":  Green^  &i  Johnny  Peck.     Afternoon  vacant. 

*  Lettice  Corbin  Turberville.  daughter  of  Mrs.  John  Turberville  of  Hick- 
ory Hill,  Westmoreland  County,  at  this  time  a  child,  afterward  mother  of 
Major-General  Roger  Jones  U.  S.  A.,  and  of  Commodore  ap  Catesby  Jones. 
Miss  Corbin  was  Jane  Corbin,  sister  of  Mrs.  Turberville.  (^Am.  Hist.  Review 
V.  5,  No.  2,  295,  n.  2.) 

'  George  Fairfax  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County  ;  son  of 
George  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant.     (See  Lee's  Lee  of  Virginia.') 

'  Rev.  Enoch  Green,  graduated  at  Princeton  1760,  was  pastor  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  at  Deerfield,  N.  J.,  1767-76.  Under  his  teaching  Fithian 
prepared  for  College  and  afterward  studied  theology.  Rev.  Mr.  Green  married 
Mary,  eldest  child  of  Rev.  Charles  Beatty,  June  7,  1770.  He  served  for  a 
short  time  as  chaplain  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  and  there  contracted  a  camp 
fever  which  terminated  his  life,  December  2,  1776.  For  letters  referred  to  in 
text,  see  appendix. 


56  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

Thursday  2. 

Busy  in  School. 

Fry  day  j . 

Busy  in  School.  Expence  to  Boy  for  trimming  my 
Horse  half  a  Bit.  Evening  after  School  walked  in  the 
fields  with  Mr?  Carter,  Miss  Carter  and  Miss  Nancy. 

Saturday  4.. 

About  Eleven  Ben  and  I  rode  to  M":  Lees^  walked 
over  a  Part  of  his  Farm  -,  from  his  house  we  see  the 
Potowmack,  and  a  fine  River  putting  from  it.  We  re- 
turned in  the  Evening,  found  M^  Fantleroy,  and  Mr 
Walker  at  Home  ;   at  Supper  I  had  the  pleasure  to  toast 

in  my  turn  Miss  Corbin But   I   meant  the  absent 

Laiira  !  ^ 

Sunday  5. 

Rode  to  Richmond  upper  Church,  a  Polite  Assem- 
bly ;  M^  Gibbern  gave  us  a  Sermon  on,  O  Death  I  will 
be  thy  Plague  &c.  a  warm  discourse.       Dined  at  home. 

Monday  6. 

M^  Walker  left  us  after  Breakfast.   Busy  in  School. 

Teusday  y . 

M^  Stadley  Miss    Priscilla's  Music  Master   arrived 

this  morning He  performed   several  pieces  on  the 

Violin.     Expence  for  an  Orange  half  a  Bit. 

Wednesday  8. 

Miss  Priscilla  with  her  Music  Master,  they  per- 
formed together  to  day. 

'  Probably  George  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant. 
^  A  reference  to  Elizabeth  Beatty. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  57 

Thursday  g 

M^  Stadley  left  us.     Busy  in  School. 

Fry  day  lo. 

Miss  Nancy  is  beginning  on  the  Guitar.  Ben  fin- 
ished reading  Salusts  Cataline  Conspiracy. 

Saturday  1 1 . 

Rode  and  Dined  with  Captain  Walker Saw  and 

dined  with  Miss  Simpson  and  M^  Warden. 

Sunday  12. 

Rode  to  Nominy-Church,  parson  Smith  preached 

1 5  minutes Advertisement  at  the  Church  door  dated 

Sunda}-    Decern^    12'.^     Pork    to    be  sold  to-morrow  at 

20/.   per  Hundred dined  with  us  to   day   Captain 

Walker,  Colonel  Rich"?  Lee  ^ ;  &  M":  Lancelot  Lee.  Sat 
after  dinner  till  Sunset,  drank  three  Bottles  of  Medaira, 
two  Bowls  of  Toddy  ! 

Monday  ij. 

M":  Carter  is  preparing  for  a  Voyage  in  his  Schooner, 
the  Hariot,  to  the  Eastern  Shore  in  Maryland,  for  Oys- 
ters:  there  are  of  the  party,  M^  Carter,  Captain  Walker 
Colonel   Rich''.  Lee,   &  M":   Lancelot  Lee.      With    Sailors 

to  work  the  vessel 1  observe  it  is  a  general  custom 

on  Sundays  here,  with  Gentlemen  to  invite  one  another 
home  to  dine,  after  Church  ;  and  to  consult  about,  &  de- 
termine their  common  business,  either  before  or  after 

Service It  is  not  the  custom  for  Gentlemen  to  go 

into  Church  til  Service  is  beginning,  when  they  enter 

*  Richard  Henry  Lee,  the  famous  orator  and  statesman,  was  born  at  Strat- 
ford, the  20th  of  January  1732.  Died  at  his  residence,  Chantilly  on  the  19th 
of  June,  1794,  and  was  buried  in  the  family  burial  ground,  in  the  "Burnt 
House  Fields  "  Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County,  as  he  desired  in  his  will. 


58  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

in  a  Body,  in  the  same  manner  as  they  come  out ;  I  have 
known  the  Clerk  to  come  out  and  call  them  in  to  prayers. 

They  stay  also  after  the  Service  is  over,  usually  as 

long,  sometimes  longer,  than  the  Parson  was  preaching 

Almost  every  Lady  wears  a  red   Cloak;    and  when 

they  ride  out  they  t3^e  a  red  handkerchief  over  their 
Head  and  face,  so  that  when  I  first  came  into  Virginia, 
I  was  distressed  whenever  I  saw  a  Lady,  for  I   thought 

she  had  the  Tooth-Ach  ! The  People  are  extremely 

hospitable,  and  very  polite  both  of  which  are  most  cer- 
tainly   universal    Characteristics  of    the   Gentlemen  in 

Virginia some  swear  bitterly,  but  the  practise  seems 

to  be  generally  disapproved 1  have  heard  that  this 

Country  is  notorious  for  Gaming,  however  this  be,  I 
have  not  seen  a  Pack  of  Cards,  nor  a  Die,  since  I  left 
home,  nor  gaming  or  Betting  of  any  kind  except  at  the 
Richmond-Race.  Almost  every  Gentleman  of  Condi- 
tion, keeps  a  Chariot  and  Four ;  many  drive  with  six 
Horses 1  observe  that  all  the  Merchants  and  shop- 
keepers in  the  Sphere  of  my  acquaintance  and  I  am  told 
it  is  the  Case  through  the  Province,  are  young  Scotch- 
Men  ;  several  of  whom  I  know,  as  Cunningham,  Jennings, 
Hamilton,  Blain ; and  it  has  been  the  custom  here- 
tofore to  have  all  their  Tutors,  and  Schoolmasters  from 
Scotland,  tho'  they  begin  to  be  willing  to  employ  their 

own  Countrymen Evening  Ben  Carter  and  myself 

had  a  long  dispute  on  the  practice  of  fighting He 

thinks  it  best  for  two  persons  who  have  any  dispute  to 
go  out  in  good-humour  &  fight  manfully,  &  says  they 
will  be  sooner  and  longer  friends  than  to  brood  and 
harbour  malice M^  Carter  is  practising  this  even- 
ing on  the  Guittar  He  begins  with  the  Trumpet  Minuet. 
He  has  a  good  Ear  for  Music ;  a  vastly  delicate  Taste  : 
and  keeps  good   Instruments,    he   has  here  at  Home  a 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  59 

Harpsichord,  Forte-Piano,  Harmonica,^  Guittar  &  German 
Flutes,  &  at  Williamsburg,  has  a  good  Organ,  he  himself 
also  is  indefatigable  in  the  Practice. 

Tetisday  i^. 

Busy  in  School The  Weather  vastly  fine  !    There 

has  been  no  Rain  of  consequence,  nor  any  storni}^  or 
disagreeable  Weather,  since  about  the  lo^'^  of  last 
Month!  From  the  Window,  by  which  I  write,  I  have 
a  broad,  a  diversified,  and  an  exceedingl}'  beautiful 
Prospect  of  the  high  craggy  Banks  of  the  River  Nominy! 
Some  of  those  huge  Hills  are  cover'd  thick  with  Cedar, 
&  Pine  Shrubs  ;   A  vast  qviantity  of  which  seems  to  be  in 

almost  every  part  of  this  Province Others  are  naked, 

&  when  the  Sun  Shines  look  beautiful!  At  the  Distance 
of  about  5  Miles  is  the  River  Potowmack  over  which  I 
can  see  the  smoky  Woods  of  Maryland  ;  at  this  Window 
I  often  stand,  and  cast  my  Eyes  homeward  with  peculiar 
pleasure !  Between  my  window  and  the  potowmack,  is 
Nominy  Church,  it  stands  close  on  the  Bank  of  the 
River  Nominy,  in  a  pleasant  agreeable  place.  Mr 
Carter's  family  go  down  often,  so  many  as  can  with 
convenience  in  a  Boat  rowed  by  four  Men,  and  gener- 
ally arrive  as  soon  as  those  who  ride. 

The  mouth  of  Nominy  River  where  it  falls  into 
Potowmack  is  about  25  miles  above  the  mouth  of  Potow- 
mack or  where  it  falls  into  the  Chessopeak-Bay.  And 
about  12  Miles  below  the  mouth  of  Nominy  the  River 
Ucomico  puts  up  into  the  country,  near  which   River, 

*  This  is  described  by  the  Councillor  in  his  note-book,  as  one  of  the  won- 
derful new  instruments  invented  by  "  Mr.  B.  Franklin  of  Philadelphia,  an 
Armonica,  being  the  musical  glasses  without  water,  framed  into  a  complete 
instrument,  capable  of  through  bass  and  never  out  of  tune."  The  organ  was 
made  for  him  in  London,  after  certain  directions  furnished  by  Peter  Pelham, 
Williamsburg's  chief  musician.     .See  Glenn's  Colonial  Mansions,  V.  I,  267. 


6o  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

and  about  three  miles  from  the  mouth  stands  the  lower 
parish  Church  of  Westmoreland-County  call'd  Ucomico 
Church.  The  River  Potowmack  opposite  to  us  the 
People  say  is  10  miles  over,  but  I  think  it  is  not  more 
than  8.  Afternoon  Captain  Grigg,  who  arrived  last 
Sunday  morning  into  the  River  Ucomico  from  London 
visited  M^  Carter.     Evening  reading  Picteete. 

Wednesday  i§. 

Busy    in    School To    day  Dined    with  us  M"'^ 

Turburville,  &  her  Daughter  Miss  Letty  Miss  Jenny 
Corbin,  &  M":  Blain.     We  dined  at  three.     The  manner 

here  is  difTerent  from  our  way  of  living  in  Cohansie 

In  the  morning  so  soon  as  it  is  light  a  Boy  knocks  at 
my  Door  to  make  a  fire;  after  the  Fire  is  kindled,  I 
rise  which  now  in  the  winter  is  commonl}^  by  Seven,  or 
a  little  after.  By  the  time  I  am  drest  the  Children 
commonly  enter  the  School-Room,  which  is  under  the 
Room  I  sleep  in;  I  hear  them  round  one  lesson,  when 
the  Bell  rings  for  eight  o-Clock  (for  M^  Carter  has  a 
large  good  Bell  of  upwards  of  60  Lb.  which  may  be 
heard  some  miles,  &  this  is  always  rung  at  meal  Times ;) 
the  Children  then  go  out;  and  at  half  after  eight  the 
Bell  rings  for  Breakfast,  we  then  repair  to  the  Dining- 
Room ;  after  Breakfast,  which  is  generally  about  half 
after  nine,  we  go  into  School,  and  sit  til  twelve,  when 
the  Bell  rings,  &  they  go  out  for  noon  ;  the  dinner-Bell 
rings  commonly  about  half  after  two,   often  at  three, 

but  never  before  two After  dinner  is  over,  which 

in  common,  when  we  have  no  Company,  is  about  half 
after  three  we  go  into  School,  &  sit  till  the  Bell  rings 
at  five,  when  they  separate  til  the  next  morning;  I  have 
to  myself  in  the  Evening,  a  neat  Chamber,  a  large  Fire, 
Books,  &  Candle  and  my  Liberty,  either  to  continue  in 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  6l 

the  School  room,  in  my  own  Room,  or  to  sit  over  at  the 

great  House    with  M^   &:  M?  Carter We   go   into 

Supper  commonly  about  half  after  eight  or  at  nine  &  I 
usually  go  to  Bed  between  ten  and  Eleven.  Altho  the 
family  in  which  I  live,  is  certainly  under  as  good  polit- 
ical Regulations,  and  every  way  as  suitable  and  agree- 
able as  1  can  expect,  or  6ven  could  desire ;  &  though 
the  Neighbourhood  is  polite,  &  the  Country  pleasant, 
yet  I  cannot  help  reflecting  on  my  situation  last  winter, 
which  was  near  the  lovely  Laura^  for  whom  I  cannot 
but  have  the  truest,  and  the  warmest  Esteem  !  Possibly, 
If  Heaven  shall  preserve  my  life,  in  some  future  time, 
I  may  again  enjoy  her  good  society. 

M'.  Carter  heard  this  evening  that  Captain  Walker 
cannot  go  to  Maryland,  he  is  thus  stop'd. 

Thursday  i6. 

I  can  only  to  day  write  down  my  Misfortune ;  my 
poor  Horse  as  he  was  feeding  in  a  miry  Bottom,  walked 
upon  a  sharp  Stick,  which  stuck  into  his  Thigh  on  the 

under  Side  about  four  Inches  below  his  Flank! The 

Stick  went  in  more  than  three  Inches! He  is  very 

lame,  but  they  tell  me  will  recover.  The  Hostler,  when 
we  had  led  him  to  the  Stable,  applied  Spirits  of  Turpen- 
tine to  the  part,  and  in  the  Evening  is  to  fill  it  with 
Comfrey  Roots  pounded  Soft. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  walking  to  day  at  twelve 
o-Clock  with  M":?  Carter ;  She  shewed  me  her  stock  of 
Fozi'ls  &  Mutton  for  the  winter;  She  observed,  with 
great  truth,  that  to  live  in  the  Country,  and  take  no 
pleasure  at  all  in  Groves,  Fields,  or  Meadows ;   nor  in 

^  A  reference  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Beatty  of  New  Jersey,  who  married  Philip 
Fithian,  October  25th,  1775,  and  to  whom  he  usually  refers  as  the  "Lovely 
Laura."' 


62  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

Cattle,  Horses,  &  domestic  Poultry,  would  be  a  manner 
of  life  too  tedious  to  endure;    Dined  at  three. 

Fry  day  ij . 

I  dismissed  the  children  this  morning  til  monday  on 
account  of  M^  Christian's  Dance,  which,  as  it  goes 
through  his  Scholars  in  Rotation  happens  to  be  here 

to   Day— I   myself  also  am  unwell,   so  as  not  to  go 

out; M?  Carter  sent  me  over  Coffee  for  Breakfast; 

&  soon  after  some  Spirits  of  Hartshorn  for  my  head 

At  twelve  she  sent  the  waiting  Man  to  know  if  I  was 
better,  &  what  I  would  choose  for  Dinner.  I  thank'd 
her,  &  desired  that  she  would  give  herself  no  trouble ; 
She  was  careful,  however,  for  her  undistinguished  kind- 
ness, to  send  me  before   Dinner  some   hot  Barley  Broth. 

Ben  Carter  before  Noon  introduced  into  my  Room, 

M^  Billy-Booth,  a  young  Gentleman  of  Fortune,  who  is 

one  of  M":  Christian's  pupils The  two  Master  Fan- 

tleroys  came  in  also  to  see  me There  came  to  the 

dance  three  Chariots,  two  Chairs,^  &  a  number  of  Horses. 
Towards  Evening  I  grew  Better,  &  walked  down,  with 
a  number  of  young  Fellows  to  the  River;  after  our 
return  I  was  strongly  solicited  by  the  young  Gentlemen 
to  go  in  and  dance  I  declined  it,  however,  and  went  to 
my  Room  not  without  Wishes  that  it  had  been  a  part  of 
my  Education  to  learn  what  I  think  is  an  innocent  and 
an  ornamental,  and  most  certainly,  in  this  province  is  a 
necessary  qualification  for  a  person  to  appear  even 
decent  in  Company ! 

M?  Carter  in  the  Evening,  sent  me  for  Supper,  a 
Bowl  of  hot  Green  Tea,  &  several  Tarts.  I  expected 
that  they  would  have  danced  til  late  in  the  Night,  but 

'  A  two-wheeled  carriage  drawn  by  one  horse  :  a  chaise.      Century  Diet. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  63 

intirely  contrary  to  my  Expectation,  the  Company  were 
separated  to  their  respective  apartments  before  half 
after  nine  o-Clock. 

Saturday  18. 

Rose  by  Seven,   Sent  for  M":  Carters  Barber  and 

was  drest  for  Breakfast We  went  in  to  Breakfast 

at  ten ; I   confess  1  have  been  seldom   more  dash'd 

than  when  I  entered  the  dining-Room,  for  I  must  of 
necessity  be  interrogated  by  M^  Carter  before  them  all, 

about  my  indisposition,  and  if  I  was  better ;  I  went 

through  the  several  Ceremonies  with  as  much  resolu- 
tion, and  speed  as  possible,  and  soon  mixed  with  the 
Company  in  promiscuous  conversation.  There  were 
present  of  Grown  persons  Mr  &  Mt?  Carter,  Mr?  Lee, 
&  Miss  y>«;/7  Corbin ;   young  Misses  about  Eleven;    & 

Seven    3'oung    Fellows,    including    myself;  After 

Breakfast,  we  all  retired  into  the  Dancing-Room,  & 
after  the  Scholars  had  their  Lesson  singly  round  Mr 
Christian,  very  politely,  requested  me  to  step  a  Minuet : 
I  excused  myself,   however,  but  signified  my  peculiar 

pleasure  in  the  accuracy  of  their  performance There 

were  several  Minuets  danced  with  great  ease  and  pro- 
priety ;  after  which  the  whole  company  joined  in  country- 
dances,  and  it  was  indeed  beautiful  to  admiration,  to  see 
such  a  number  of  young  persons,  set  off  by  dress  to  the 
best  advantage,  moving  easily,  to  the  sound  of  well 
performed  Music,  and  with  perfect  regularity,  tho'  ap- 
parently in  the  utmost  disorder The  Dance  con- 
tinued til  two,    we  dined  at  half  after  three soon 

after  Dinner  we  repaired  to  the  Dancing-Room  again ; 
I  observe  in  the  course  of  the  lessons,  that  Mr  Christian 
is  punctual,  and  rigid  in  his  discipline,  so  strict  indeed 
that  he  struck  two  of  the  young  Misses  for  a  fault  in  the 


64  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

course  of  their  performance,  even  in  the  presence  of  the 
Mother  of  one  of  them !  And  he  rebuked  one  of  the 
young  Fellows  so  highly  as  to  tell  him  he  must  alter 
his  manner,  which  he  had  observed  through  the  Course 
of  the  Dance,  to  be  insolent,  and  wanton,  or  absent  him- 
self from  the  School 1  thought  this  a  sharp  reproof 

to  a  young  Gentleman  of  seventeen,  before  a  large  num- 
ber of  Ladies  ! When  it  grew  too  dark  to  dance,  the 

young  Gentlemen  walked  over  to  my  Room,  we  con- 
versed til  half  after  six ;  Nothing  is  now  to  be  heard 
of  in  conversation,  but  the  Balls,  the  Fox-hunts,  and  fine 
entertainments,  and  the  good  fellowship,  which  are  to  be 

exhibited  at  the  approaching  CHRISTMAS. 1  almost 

think  myself  happy  that  my  Horses  lameness  will  be  a 
sufficient   Excuse    for   my  keeping  at    home    on    these 

Holidays. M^  Goodlet  was  barred  out  of  his  School 

last  Monday  by  his  Scholars,  for  Christmas  Holidays, 
which  are  to  continue  til  twelfth-day  ;  But  my  Scholars 
are  of  a  more  quiet  nature,  and  have  consented  to  have 
four  or  five  Days  now,  and  to  have  their  full  Holiday 
in  May  next,  when  I  propose  by  permission  of  Provi- 
dence to  go  Home,  where  I  hope  to  see  the  good  and 
benevolent  Laura. 

When  the  candles  were  lighted,  we  all  repaired,  for 
the  last  time,  into  the  dancing-Room ;  first  each  couple 
danced  a  Minuet;  then  all  joined  as  before  in  the 
country  Dances,  these  continued  till  half  after  Seven 
when  M":  Christian  retired ;  and  at  the  proposal  of 
several,  (with  M^  Carters  approbation)  we  played 
Button,  to  get  Pauns  for  Redemption ;  here  I  could  join 
with  them,  and  indeed  it  was  carried  on  with  sprightli- 
ness,  and  Decency ;  in  the  course  of  redeeming  my 
Pauns  I  had  several  kisses  of  the  Ladies ! Earl}-  in 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  65 

the  Evening  came  colonel  Philip  Lee,^  in  a  travelling 

Chariot  from   Williamsburg Half  after  eight   we 

were  rung  in  to  Supper;  The  room  looked  luminous 
and  splendid;  four  verj^  large  candles  burning  on  the 
table  where  we  supped;  three  others  in  different  parts 
of  the  Room;   a  gay,   sociable  Assembly,   &  four  well 

instructed  waiters  ! So  soon  as  we  rose  from  supper, 

the  Compan}-  formed  into  a  semicircle  round  the  fire, 
&  Mr.  Lee,  by  the  voice  of  the  Company  was  chosen 
Pope,  and  M^  Carter,  M-:  Christian,  M-:?  Carter,  M'f  Lcc, 
and  the  rest  of  the   company   were  appointed   Friars, 

in  the  Play  call'd   "break  the  Pope's  neck" Here 

we  had  great  Diversion  in  the  respective  Judgments 
upon  offenders,  but  we  were  all  dismissed  by  ten,  and 
retired  to  our  several  Rooms. 

Sunday  ip. 

Early  this  morning,  I  was  awaked  out  of  sleep  by 
two  youngsters,  (for  we  are  thronged  with  company,  so 
that  two  slept  in  my  Room)  who  were  agreeing  upon  a 
Ride  the  Day  after  Christmas,  (which  will  be  Sunday) 
up  to  Fredericksburg,  which  lies  upon  the  Rapahan- 
nock,  fifty  Miles  higher  up  the  country  than  where  we 

live; Breakfasted  at  nine,  soon  after  which  all  our 

company  dispersed;    I  had  the  offer  of  a  Horse,  &  was 

strongly  solicited  to  go  to  Church,  but  I  declined  it 

My  Horse  is  very  lame,  his  Thigh,  from  the  fore  down 

to  his  knee  is  much  swell'd! It  runs,  however,  and 

the   Hostler  tells  me  it  is  mending.     Dined  at  three; 

'  Philip  Ludwell  Lee  (1727-1775),  eldest  son  of  President  Lee,  was  a  fel- 
low-member with  Robert  Carter  in  the  governor's  council  &  took  an  active  part 
in  the  commencement  of  the  struggle  for  independence.  He  resided  at  Strat- 
ford and  maintained  the  generous  hospitality  of  his  father.  (Am.  Hist.  Review 
V.  5,  No.  2,  297  n.  I.) 


66  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

Miss  Betsy  Lee  ^  dined  with  us Writing  to  day  my 

Sermon  for  the  Presbytery.      Sup'd  on  Oysters. 
This  is  the  first  day  1  have  missed  Church. 

Monday  20. 

Rose  at  half  after  Seven ;   the  morning  extremely 

cold We   had   in   School  to   Day   as  visitors    Miss 

Betsy,  and  Miss  Matilda  Lee.-  Mr.  Carter  gave  me  for 
his  Daughter  Nancy  to  Read,  the  "  Compleat  Letter- 
writer" also  he  put  into  my  hands  for  the  use  of 

the  School,  "  the  British-Grammar." 

Teusday  21 . 

Rose  by  Half  after  Seven the  weather  serene 

but  sharp  and  cold To  day,  before  Dinner  called  in 

and  stayed  a  short  time  M':  Blain  and  M^  Lcc  who  were 
going  to  one  M":  Lanes  to  a  Christnmg,  which  I  under- 
stand is  one  of  the  chief  times  for  Diversion  here 

Miss  Carter,  this  afternoon  told  me  that  her  Mama 
thought  of  giving  a  small  Ball  dit  the  approaching  Christ- 
mas for  select  friends. 

Wednesday  22. 

M":   Cunningham    came    last   Evening  and    staid  the 

Night There  is  a  report  that  he  is  making  suit  to 

Miss  Jenny  Corbin.      To  day  I  finished  my  Sermon  for 

the  Presbytery I  read  Pictete,  The  Spectator,  Salust, 

History  of  England,  English  Grammar,  Arithmetic  Sind  the 
Magazines  by  turns.  Miss  Priscilla,  and  Miss  Nancy  rode 
this  morning  in  the  Chariot  over  to  M^   Tiirburvills 

'  Probably  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Lee  of  Essex,  a  nephew  of  Presi- 
dent Thomas  Lee.     {Am.  Hist.  Revieiu,  V.  5,  No.  2,  310,  n.  i.) 

^  Daughter  of  Philip  Ludwell  Lee  of  Stratford  ;  best  known  as  the  "  Divine 
jSIatilda."  She  married  General  Henry  Lee  ("  Light  Horse  Harry")  of  Revo- 
lutionary fame. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  (ij 

Bob,  every  day  at  twelve  o-Clock,  is  down  by  the  River 

Side  with   his  Gun  after  Ducks,  Gulls,   etc. Ben  is 

on  his  Horse  a  Ridin^^,  Harry,  is  either  in  the  Kitchen, 
or  at  the  Blacksmiths,  or  Carpenters  Shop.  They  all 
find  places  of  Rendesvous  so  soon  as  the  Bell  rings,  and 

all  seem  to  choose  different  Spots! To  day  dined 

with    us    M^  Cox  the    Gentleman    at    whose    House    I 

breakfasted  the  Day  after  I  came  first. Evening-  Mr 

Carter  spent  in  playing  on  the  Harmonica;'  It  is  the 
first  time  I  have  heard  the  Instrument.     The  music  is 

charming!      He  play'd  Water  parted  from  the  Sea! 

The  Notes  are  clear  and  inexpressibly  Soft,  they  swell, 
and  are  inexpressibly  grand ;  and  either  it  is  because 
the  sounds  are  new,  and  therefore  please  me,  or  it  is  the 
most  captivating  Instrument  I  have  ever  heard.  The 
sounds  very  much  resemble  the  human  voice,  and  in  my 
opinion  they  far  exceed  even  the  swelling  Organ. 

TJiiirsday  2j. 

Rose  at  eight Rains  this  morning,  the  weather 

is  also  warmer.  M^  Carter  has  sent  his  son  Ben  to  his 
head  Overseer,  to  take  notice  and  account  of  the  meas- 
uring the  Crop  of  Corn For  the  Planters  now  have 

just  gathered  in  their  Summers  Crop! — — -To  Day  I 
write  a  letter  to  Laura:  Waft  it,  kind  Oppertunity, 
soon  to  the  dear  Maid,  and  Make  it  easy,  &  desirable 
for  her  to  make  me  a  Return  ! 

At  Dinner  M":  &  Mr?  Carter  gave  their  opinion 
concerning  what  they  thought  pleasing  and  agreeable 
in  a  person;  Mr?  Carter  said  she  loved  a  sociable 
open,  chatty  person;  that  She  could  not  bear  SuUen- 
ness,  and  stupidity  — —  M":  Carter,  on   the  other  hand, 

^  See  page  59,  note  i. 


68  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

observed  that  it  is  just  which  Solomon  says,  that  there 
is  a  "time  for  all  things  under  the  Sun;  "  that  it  dis- 
covers great  judgment  to  laugh  in  Season,  and  that,  on 

the   whole,    he   is   pleased    with    Taciturnity Pray 

which  of  the  two  should  I  suit? 

It  is  a  custom  with  our  Bob  whenever  he  can  coax 
his  Dog  up  stairs,  to  take  him  into  his  Bed,  and  make 
him  a  companion ;  I  was  much  pleased  this  morning 
while  he  and  Harry  were  reading  in  Course  a  Chapter 
in  the  Bible,  that  they  read  in  the  27^^  Chapter  of  Deu- 
teronomy the  Curses  threatened  there  for  Crimes;  Bob 
seldom,  perhaps  never  before,  read  the  verse,  at  last 
read  that  "Cursed  be  he  that  lyeth  with  any  manner  of 
Beast,  and  all  the  People  shall  say  Amen."  I  was  ex- 
ceedingly  pleased,   yet  astonished  at  the  Boy  on   two 

accounts. i^.'   At  the  end  of  every  verse,  before  he 

came  to  this,  he  would  pronounce  aloud,  "Amen."  But 
on  Reading  this  verse  he  not  only  omitted  the  "Amen," 

but  seemed  visibly  struck  with  confusion  ! 2^   And 

so  soon  as  the  verse  was  read,  to  excuse  himself,  he  said 
at  once,  Brother  Ben  slept  all  last  winter  with  his  Dog, 

and  learn'd  me  ! Thus  ready  are  Mankind  always  to 

evade  Correction ! This  Evening,  after  I  had  dis- 
missed the  Children,  &  was  sitting  in  the  School-Room 
cracking  Nuts,  none  present  but  M";  Carters  Clerk,  a 
civil,  inoffensive,  agreeable  young  Man,  who  acts  both 
in  the  character  of  a  Clerk  and  Steward,  when  the 
Woman  who  makes  my  Bed,  asked  me  for  the  key  of 
my  Room,  and  on  seeing  the  young  Man  sitting  with 
me,  she  told  him  that  her  Mistress  had  this  afternoon 
given  orders  that  their  Allowance  of  Meat  should  be 

given  out  to  them  to-morrow. She  left  us;    I  then 

asked  the  young  man  what  their  allowance  is?  He  told 
me   that,    excepting   some   favourites   about  the   table 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  69 

their  weekly  allowance  is  a  peck  of  Corn,  &  a  pound  of 

Meat  a  Head  ! And  M^  Carter  is  allowed  by  all,  & 

from  what  I  have  already  seen  of  others,  I  make  no 
Doubt  at  all  but  he  is,  by  far  the  most  humane  to  his 
Slaves  of  any  in  these  parts !      Good  God !   are  these 

Christians? When    I    am    on    the    Subject,    I    will 

relate  further,  what  I  heard  M":  George  Lees  Overseer, 
one  Morgan,  say  the  other  day  that  he  himself  had 
often  done  to  Negroes,  and  found  it  viseful ;  He  said 
that  whipping  of  an}'  kind  does  them  no  good,  for  they 
will  laugh  at  your  greatest  Severity  ;  But  he  told  us 
he  had  invented  two  things,  and  by  several  experi- 
ments   had    proved    their   success. For   Sulleness, 

Obstinacy,  or  Idleness,  says  he.  Take  a  Negro,  strip 
him,  tie  him  fast  to  a  post;  take  then  a  sharp  Curry- 
Comb,  &  curry  him  severely  til  he  is  well  scraped ;  & 
call  a  Boy  with  some  dry  Hay,  and  make  the  Boy  rub 
him  down  for  several  Minutes,  then  salt  him,  &  unlose 
him.  He  will  attend  to  his  Business,  (said  the  inhu- 
man Infidel)  afterwards ! But  savage  Cruelty  does 

not  exceed   His  next  diabolical   invention To  get 

a  Secret  from   a   Negro,    says   he,   take   the   following 

Method Lay  upon  your  Floor  a  large  thick  plank, 

having  a  peg  about  eighteen  Inches  long,  of  hard 
wood,  &  very  Sharp,  on  the  upper  end,   fixed  fast  in 

the  plank then  strip   the   Negro,  tie  the   Cord  to 

a  staple  in  the  Ceiling,  so  as  that  his  foot  may  just  rest 
on  the  sharpened  Peg,  then  turn  him  briskly  round, 
and  you  would  laugh  (said  our  informer)  at  the  Dex- 
terity  of  the  Negro,  while  he  was  relieving  his  Feet 

on  the  sharpened  Peg! 1  need  say  nothing  of  these 

seeing  there  is  a  righteous  God,  who  will  take  ven- 
geance   on    such    Inventions  !  Miss   Priscilla   and 

Nancy  returned  in  the  evening. 


^0  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1773 

Fry  day  2/j.. 

Ben  Rode  off  this  morning  before  day  to  M^  Fant- 
leroys,  for  Christmas  I  dismissed  the  children  while 
next  Wednesday.  I  was  introduced  by  M^  Carter  at 
Dinner,  to  D^  Jones'  a  practitioner  in  Richmond^.  I 
spent  my  Day  in  my  Room  alone  as  agreeably  as  I 
have  done  any  since  I  have  been  in  Virginia  coppying 
off  my  Sermon,  &  correcting  it.  Retirement  is  as 
pleasing,  &  desirable  to  me  here  as  at  princcton  or 
Cohansic !  &  by  Gods  blessing  I  hope  to  make  it  as 
profitable.  In  the  Evening  I  read  the  two  first  Books 
oi  popes  Homer.  D^  Jones  supped  with  us,  &  is  to  stay 
the  Night.  The  conversation  at  supper  was  on  Nurs- 
ing Children  ;  I  find  it  is  common  here  for  people  of 
Fortune  to  have  their  young  Children  suckled  by  the 
Negroes!  D":  Jones  told  us  his  first  and  only  Child 
is    now    with   such   a   Nurse;     &    M?  Carter   said   that 

Wenches   have  suckled  several  of  hers Mr?  Carter 

has  had  thirteen  Children^  She  told  us  to  night  and 
she  has  nine  now  living;  of  which  seven  are  with  me. 
Guns  are  fired  this  Evening  in  the  Neighborhood,  and 
the  Negroes  seem  to  be  inspired  with  new  Life.     The 

^  Dr.  Walter  Jones  of  Richmond  County,  was  educated  at  William  and 
Mary  College,  and  at  Edinburgh,  attained  reputation  as  a  scholar  and  physi- 
cian ;  during  the  Revolution  was  "Physician-General"  for  the  hospitals  of 
the  middle  department,  and  a  member  of  Congress  in  1797-99,  and  1803-ir. 

'  Richmond  County. 

^  Subjoined  is  a  list  of  the  children  of  Councillor  Carter,  taken  from  The 
Carter  Family  Chart,  prepared  and  recently  published  (1896)  by  R.  R.  Carter 
of  Shirley,  Virginia,  and  found  to  be  by  far  the  most  reliable  genealogy  of  this 
family  extant.  The  names  of  three  other  daughters  appear  in  a  manuscript 
genealogy,  the  property  of  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  but  lack 
confirmation,  and  as  this  MSS.  is  inaccurate  in  many  instances,  can  not  be 
vouched  for,     They  are  :    Mary,  Amelia,  and  Rebecca,  all  dying  unmarried. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  7 1 

Day  has  been  serene  and  mild,  but  the  Evening  is  hazy. 
Supped  on  Oysters. 

Saturday  2^. 

I  was  waked  this  morning  by  Guns  fired  all  round 
the  House.  The  morning  is  stormy,  the  wind  at  South 
East  rains  hard  Nelson  the  Boy  who  makes  my  Fire, 
blacks  my  shoes,  does  errands  &c.  was  early  in  my 
Room,  drest  only  in  his  shirt  and  Breeches!  He  made 
me  a  vast  fire,  blacked  my  Shoes,  set  my  Room  in 
order,  and  wished  me  a  joyful  Christmas,  for  which  I 

gave  him  half  a  Bit. Soon  after  he  left  the  Room, 

and  before  I  was  Drest,  the  Fellow  who  makes  the 
Fire  in  our  School  Room,  drest  ver}^  neatly  in  green, 
but  almost  drunk,  entered  my  chamber  with  three  or 
four  profound  Bows,  &  made  me  the  same  salutation; 
I  gave  him  a  Bit,  and  dismissed  him  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble.  Soon  after  my  Cloths  and  Linen  were  sent  in 

with  a  message  for  a  Christmas  Box,  as  the}^  call  it;    I 

sent   the   poor   Slave  a   Bit,   &   my  thanks. I   was 

obliged  for  want  of  small  change,  to  put  off  for  some 

days  the  Barber  who  shaves  &  dresses  me. 1  gave 

To))i  the  Coachman,  who  Doctors  my  Horse,  for  his 
care  two  Bits,  &  am  to   give  more  when  the  Horse  is 

The  Carter  geneaology  in  Glenn's  Some  Colonial  Mansions,  appears  to  have 
been  taken  from  the  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society's  MSS.  ; 

1.  Benjamin,  d.  unm. 

2.  Robert,  d.  tinm. 

3.  John,  d.  tinm. 

4.  Priscilia,  m.  Robert  Mitchell. 

.        T,    ,  (  John  Peck. 

5.  Ann  lasker,  m.\-'         .-^    ■   % 
•^  ( Quinlan. 

<     6.  Frances,  w.  Maj.  Thos.  Jones  of  Bathurst. 

7.  Betsey  Landon,  m.  Spencer  Ball. 

8.  Harriet,  m.  John  Maund. 

9.  Sophia,  d.  uu/n. 

10.  Julia,  »i.  Dr.  Robert  Berkeley. 

11.  George  (of  Oatlands),  m.  Betty  Lewis. 

12.  Sally,  m.  Dr.  John  Chinn. 


Robert  ("Councillor")  Carter 
d.  1727.     m.  1754.     d.  1S04. 

Frances  Ann  Tasker 


72  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

well. 1  gave  to  Dennis  the  Boy  who  waits  at  Table 

half  a  Bit So  that  the  sum  of  my  Donations  to  the 

Servants,  for  this  Christmas  appears  to  be  five  Bits,  a 
Bit  is  a  pisterene^  bisected;  or  an  English  sixpence, 
&  passes  here  for  seven  pence  Halfpenny,     the  whole  is 

S.       D. 
3  .  •    I*. 

At  Breakfast,  when  M^  Carter  entered  the  Room, 
he  gave  us  the  compliments  of  the  Season.  He  told 
me,  very  civily,  that  as  my  Horse  was  Lame,  his  own 
riding  Horse  is  at  my  Service  to  ride  when  &  where  I 
Choose. 

M?  Carter  was,  as  always,  cheerful,  chatty,  & 
agreeable;  She  told  me  after  Breakfast  several  droll, 
merr}'^  occurrences  that  happened  while  she  was  in  the 
City  Williamsburg. 

This  morning  came  from  the  Post-ofhce  at  Hobbes- 
Hole,  on  the  Rappahannock,  our  News-papers.  My 
Carter  takes  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette,  which  seems 
vastly  agreeable  to  me,  for  it  is  like  having  something 
from  home. But  I  have  yet  no  Answer  to  my  Let- 
ter.    We  dined  at  four  o-Clock Mr  Carter  kept  in 

his  Room,  because  he  breakfasted  late,  and  on  Oysters. 
There  were  at  Table  Mi:^  Carter  &  her  five  Daugh- 
ters that  are  at  School  with  me — Miss  Princilla,  Nancy, 
Fanny,   Betsy,   and   Harriot,   five    as    beautiful    delicate, 

well-instructed   Children  as   I    have  ever  known ! 

Ben  is  abroad ;   Bob  &  Harry  are  out ;    so  there  was  no 

Man  at  Table  but  myself. I  must  carve — Drink  the 

Health — and  talk  if  I  can  !  Our  dinner  was  no  other- 
wise than  common,  yet  as  elegant  a  Christmas  Dinner 

1  Pistareen,  which  then  equalled  about  19.4  of  our  cents  ;  half  of  it,  9.7  ; 
the  English  sixpence,  12.2  ;  seven-pence-halfpenny  Virginia  money,  10.4. — 
{^Am.  Hist.  Review   V.  5,  No.  2,  298,  n.  I.) 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  73 

as  I  ever  sat   Down  to The   table   Discourse  was 

Marriage ;  M?  Carter  observed  that  was  she  a  Widow, 
she  should  scruple  to  marry  any  man  alive  -.  She  gave  a 
reason,  that  she  did  not  think  it  probable  a  man  could 
love  her  grown  old  when  the  world  is  thronged  with 
blooming,  ripening  Virgins;  but  in  fact  M"?  Carter 
looks  &  would  pass  for  a  younger  Woman  than  some 
unmarried  Ladies  of  my  acquaintance,  who  would  will- 
ingly enough  make  us  place  them  below  twenty  I 

We   dined   at   four ;   when   we  rose   from  table  it  was 

growing  dark The  wind  continues  at  South  East  & 

is  stormy  and  muddy. 

Mt  Randolph  the  Clerk  told  me  this  Evening  a 
Circumstance  concerning  Bob  Avhich  tho  it  discov- 
ered stupidity,  yet  at  the  same  time  discovered  great 

thoughtfulness. It  was  about  his  sleeping  with  the 

Dog ;  M":  RandolpJi  told  me  Bob  asked  him  with  great 

solemnity    if    he   thought   God  Abniglity  knew   it! 

While  we  supped  M^  Carter  as  he  often  does  played  on 
the  Forte-Piano.  He  almost  never  sups.  Last  Night 
and  to  night  I  had  large  clear  and  very  elegant  Sper- 
maceti Candles  sent  into  mj-  Room ; 

Sunday  26. 

I   rose  at  eight The  morning  is  fair:   all  seem 

quiet 1    went  to   the   window  before    I    was   drest, 

having  only  a  Gown  thrown  about  me  &  enjoved  a 
beautiful    Prospect   of    the    high    Banks    of    the    River 

Nomini   gilded   by    the   morning   Sun I  could    not 

help  casting   my   Eyes    with   eagerness   over  the   blue 

Potowmack  and  look  homewards. After  having  paid 

my  morning  secret  Devotion  to  the  King  of  Kings,  I 
sat  myself  to  the  correcting  and  transcribing  m}-  Ser- 
mon  1  had  the  pleasure   to   wait  on    M'?  Carter  to 


74  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

Church.     She  rode  in  the  Chariot,  &  Miss  Prissy  and 

Nancy;    M^   Carter    chose   to  stay   at    Home The 

sacrament  was  to  have  been  administered  but  there  was 
so  few  people  that  he  thought  it  improper,  and  put  of 
til  Sunday  fortnight.  He  preached  from  Isaiah  9.6. 
For   unto    us    a    child    is    Born   &c.     his   Sermon  was 

fifteen   Minutes  long!   very  fashionable He  invited 

me  very  civilly  to  Dine  &  spend  the  Evening  with  him, 
but  I  could  not  leave  the  Ladies.  He  made  me  almost 
promise,  however  to  call  some  Day  this  Week. 

At  the  Church  to  day  I  heard  an  impious  express- 
ion from  a  young  Scotch-Man,  Tutor  in  M":  Washing- 
ton's^ Family;  he  meant  it  for  a  Satire  upon  the  neg- 
lect of  the  people  in   suffering  their  Grave  Yard  to  lie 

common He  saw  some  Cattle  &  Hogs  feeding  & 

rooting  in  the  yard;  "Why,  says  he,  if  I  was  buried 
here  it  would  grieve  me  to  look  up  and  see  Swine  feed- 
ing over  me"! But   I  understand  only  the   lower 

part  of  People  are  at  the  Church  ;  for  the  Gentleman 
have  private  hwry\x\^- yards} 

Monday  2j. 

At  Breakfast  M":^  Carter  gave  me  an  Invitation  to 
wait  on  her  to  parson  Smiths^  M^  Carter  offered  Me 
his  riding  Horse,  a  beautiful  grey,  young,  lively  Colt; 
We   sat   out  about  ten,  M":*  Carter,  Miss   Prissy,   Miss 

'  Presumably  John  Augustine  Washington  of  Bushfield,  younger  brother 
of  the  future  General  Washington. 

'  Most  of  the  landed  estates  had  their  private  burial  grounds,  wherein  the 
lords  of  the  manor  and  their  families  were  laid  to  rest ;  the  churchyard  being 
reserved  for  the  lower  classes.  Many  old  families  in  the  country  parishes  of 
Virginia  still  adhere  to  this  custom. 

'  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  then  rector  of  Cople  Parish,  resided  at  the  Glebe, 
near  the  banks  of  the  Potomac. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  75 

Fanny,  &  Miss  Betsy,  in  the  Chariot;  Bob  and  I  were 
on  Horse  back;  M^*  Carter  had  three  waiting  Men:  a 
Coachman,  Driver  &  Postillion.  We  found  the  way 
muddy ;  got  there  a  little  after  twelve ;  M^  Smith  was 
out;  I  was  introduced  by  M"?  Carter  to  M"?  Smith,  and 
a  young  Lady  her  Sister  who  lives  with  them ;  at  Din- 
ner I  was  at  M":  Smiths  request  to  "say  Grace"  as 
they  call  it;  which  is  alwa3's  express'd  by  the  people 
in  the  following  words,  "  God  bless  us  in  what  we  are 
to  receive" &  after  Dinner,  "God  made  us  thank- 
ful for  his  mercies. As  we   were  sitting   down  to 

Table  Ben  Carter  rode  up ;  when  we  had  dined,  the 
Ladies  retired,  leaving  us  a  Bottle  of  Wine,  &  a  Bowl 
of  Toddy  for  companions.  Ben  came  with  a  Message 
for  me  to  go  to  a  Ball,  but  poor  fellow,  I  can't  dance ! 

He   prest    me    very   much,    but    I    was   forced    to 

decline  it. We   returned  in   the   Evening;    &  found 

M":  Carter  &  Miss  Nancy  practising  Music,  one  on  the 
Forte-Piano,  and  the  other  on  the  Guitar.  M^  Car- 
ter is  learning  Bedford,  Coleshill,  and  several  other 
Church  Tunes. 

Teusday  28. 

Last  night  there  fell  a  Snow,  which  is  about  half 
Shoe  deep,  the  Air  is  sharp,  the  wind  at  North,  & 
Snows  yet  by  turns.  I  finished  and  laid  by  my  Ser- 
mon for  the  Presbytery  this  morning Breakfasted 

at  ten ;  Ben  staid  last  Night  at  M^  Tiirburvilles  &  got 
Home  to  day  about  twelve  from  his  Christinas  Jaimt. 
Spent  most  of  the  Day  at  the  great  House  hearing 
the  various  Instruments  of  Music.  Evening,  at  Miss 
Prissy's  Request  I  drew  for  her  some  Flowers  on  Linen 
which  she  is  going  to  embroider,  for  a  various  Coun- 
terpane. 


7^  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

Wednesday  2g. 

This  Morning  our  School  begins  after  the  Holi- 
days. Bob  seems  sorry  that  he  must  forsake  the  Marsh 
&  River  where  he  is  daily  fowling,  and  never  kills  any 
game. 

At  Dinner  we  had  the  Company  of  D^  Franks  who 
has  been  all  along  M^  Carters  Clerk ;  but  is  now  leav- 
ing Him.  We  had  a  large  Pye  cut  to  Day  to  signify 
the  Conclusion  of  the  Holidays.  I  drew,  this  after- 
noon more  Flowers  for  Miss  Prissy. 

TJnirsday  jo. 

D":  Franks  is  moving,  he  has  lived  in  the  House 
adjoining  our  School.  The  morning  is  fine  I  rose  by 
eight,  breakfasted  at  ten.  Miss  Prissy  &  Nancy  are 
to-Day  Practising  Music  one  on  the  Forte- Piano,  the 
other  on  the  Guitar,  their  Papa  allows  them  for  that 
purpose  every  Teusday,  &  Thursday.  Ben  is  gone  to 
the  Quarter^  to  see  to  the  measuring  the  crop  of  Corn. 
On  his  return  in  the  Evening,  when  we  were  sitting 
&  chatting,  among  other  things  he  told  me  that  we 
must  have  a  House-warming,  seeing  we  have  now  got 

possession  of  the  whole  House It  is  a  custom  here 

whenever  any  person  or  Family  move  into  a  House,  or 
repair  a  house  they  have   been   living  in  before,   they 

make  di  Ball  &  give  a  Supper So  we,  because  we 

have  gotten  possession  of  the  whole  House,  are  in  com- 
pliance with    Custom,   to   invite   our   Neighbours,   and 

dance,  and  be  merry But  poor  me  !      I  must  hobble, 

or  set  quiet  in  the  Corner! 

^  The  "  quarter"  was  where  the  slaves'  quarters,  or  houses,  were  located. 


1773]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  JJ 

Fry  day  j/. 

I  rose  at  eight.  Ben  gone  again  to  the  quarter 
Harriot  to  Da}-,  for  the  first  time  said  all  her  let- 
ters  


The  Colonel  shewed  me  after  Dinner  a  new  inven- 
tion, which  is  to  be  sure  his  own,  for  tuning  his  Harp- 
sichord &  Forte-Piano :  it  is  a  number  of  Whistles,  of 
various  Sizes  so  as  to  sound  all  the  Notes  in  one 
Octave.  At  twelve  o-Clock  M^  Carter  ordered  his  Boy 
to  bring   two  Horses,  and    himself  &   Miss  Prissy  rode 

out  for  an  airing  as  the  Day  is  vastly  fine As  soon 

as  the  Bell  rung  and  I  had  dismissed  the  Children  I 
took  a  walk  in  the  Garden;  When  I  had  gone  round 
two  or  three  Platts  M"?  Carter  entered  and  walked 
towards  me.     I  then  immediately  turn'd  and  met  Her; 

I  bowed Remarked  on  the  pleasantness  of  the  Day 

And  began  to  ask  her  some  questions  upon  a  Row 

of  small  slips To  all  which  she  made  polite  and  full 

answers ;  As  we  walked  along  she  would  move  the 
ground  at  the  Root  of  some  plant ;   or  prop   up  with 

small  sticks  the  bended  scions We  took  two  whole 

turns  through  all  the  several  Walks,  &  had  such  con- 
versation as  the  Place  and  Objects  naturally  excited 

And  after  M"?  Carter  had  given  some  orders  to  the 
Gardiners  (for  there  are  two  Negroes,  Gardiners  by 
Trade,  who  are  constantly  when  the  Weather  will  any 
how  permit,  working  in  it)  we  walked  out  into  the 
Area  viewed  some  Plumb-Trees,  when  we  saw  Mi:  Car- 
ter and  Miss  Prissy  returning We  then  repaired  to 

the  Slope  before  the  front-Door  where  they  dismounted 

and  we  all  went  into  the  Dining  Room.      I  shall  in 

a  proper  time  describe  the  great-House,  &  the  several 
smaller  ones  in  its  neighbourhood;  the  Area,  Poplar- 
Walk,    Garden,   &  Pasture :    In  the   mean   time   I    shall 


78  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

only  say,  they  discover  a  delicate  and  Just  Tast,  and 
are  the  effect  of  great  Invention  &  Industry,  &.  Expcnce. 
At  Dinner  we  were  conversing  on  the  seasons  of  the 
Year,  &  giving  our  different  opinions  of  which  of  the 
Seasons  we  each  thought  most  agreeable :  M":^  Carter 
chose  the  Months  of  October,  November  &  December, 
her  reasons  were,  that  we  are  always  most  sensible  of 
pleasure  when  it  succeeds  Anxiety  &  Pain ;  therefore 
because  these  months  immediately  follow  those  in  which 
there  is  usually  Thunder  &  Lightning  &  intense  Heat, 
She  thinks  them  most  pleasant:  The  Colonel  agreed 
with  her  as  to  the  Months  but  gave  a  different  Reason ; 
He  supposes  that  in  these  Months  the  Air  is  more  uni- 
form and  settled  than  at  any  other  so  long  time  in  the 
year:  I  preferr'd  May,  June,  and  July,  because  our 
Bodies  at  that  Season  are  generally  sprightly,  vigorous 
and  healthy,  and  the  world  around  us  is  beautiful  & 
growing  to  necessary  perfection.  Miss  Prissy  &  Miss 
Nancy  were  on  my  side. 

M':^'  Carter  told  the  Colonel  that  he  must  not  think 
her  setled  (for  they  have  been  for  a  long  time  from  this 
place  in  the  City  Williamsburg  and  only  left  it  about  a 
year  and  a  half  ago)  till  he  made  her  a  park  and  stock'd 
it ;  while  these  and  many  other  things  were  saying,  I 
was  surprized  at  a  Remark  which  Miss  Prissy  made, 
"Why  Mama  says  she,  you  plan  and  talk  of  these 
things  as  tho'  you  should  never  die"! 

Sa  TURDA  V  January  i.   1774. 

Another  year  is  gone!  Last  New  years  Day  I  had 
not  the  most  remote  expectation  of  being  now  here  in 
Virginia  !  Perhaps  by  the  next  I  shall  have  made  a 
longer  and  more  important  Remove,  from  this  to  the 
World  of  Spirits! 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  79 

It  is  well  worth  the  while,  for  the  better  improv- 
ing of  our  time  to  come  to  recollect  and  reflect  upon 
the  Time  which  we  have  spent;  The  Season  seems  to 
require  it ;  it  will  give  entertainment  at  least,  perhaps 
much  substantial  pleasure  too,  to  be  able  to  make  with 
a  considerable  degree  of  certainty  a  review  of  the  gen- 
eral course  of  our  Actions  in  the  course  of  a  year. 
This  shall  be  my  employment,  when  I  shall  have  suitable 
time  for  the  fixing  &  laying  my  thoughts  together 

In  the  mean  time  I  observe  that  the  Day  is  most 
pleasant,  the  wind  is  West,  not  fresh ;  the  air  is  void  of 
clouds,  but  near  the  Earth  is  smoky ;  the  Ground  is 
clear  of  Frost  and  setled,  what  can  be  iiner?  M^  Car- 
ter Miss  Prissy  and  myself  were  to  have  rode  out  for 
an  Exercise  at  twelve,  but  we  were  prevented  by  the 
coming  of  a  Gentleman,  D^  Fantlcroy,  to  whom  M":  Car- 
ter introduced  me 

After  Dinner  was  finished  which  was  about  four 
o-Clock,  Miss  Prissy  and  Myself,  together  with  a  Ser- 
vant (for  M^  Carter  would  not  trust  us  alone  he  said) 
rode  on  Horse-Back  to  M":  Turburvilles,^  about  three 
quarters  of  a  Mile  distance ;  It  is  the  first  time  I  have 
been  there,  the  House  is  near,  &  in  Sight,  and  the 
families  intimate.  I  rode  my  Horse  for  the  first  time 
since  his  misfortune.  When  we  returned  about  Can- 
dle-light, we  found  Mr;^  Carter  in  the  yard  seeing  to  the 
Roosting  of  her  Poultry ;  and  the  Colonel  in  the  Par- 
lour tuninsf  his  Guitar, 


'fc> 


Sunday  2. 

The    weather    warm    and    Damp The    Family 

rode  to  Church  to-day  and  are  to  dine  out.      M":  Carter 

^  John  Turberville  of  Hickory  Hill. 


8o  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

at  my  request,  gave  me  the  Keys  of  his  Book-Cases 
and  allowed  me  to  spend  the  Day  alone  in  his  Library. 

The  place  seems  suitable  for  Study,  &  the  Day 
ought  to  be  spent  in  serious  contemplation ;  therefore, 
as  I  proposed  yesterday,  I  shall  collect  together  and 
write  down  what  I  have  been  doing  in  the  last  Year. 
But  will  my  Life  bear  the  review?  Can  I  look  upon 
my  Actions  and  not  Blush!  And  shall  I  be  no  less 
careful,  or  have  no  better  success,  in  the  prosecution 
of  my  Duty  the  Year  to  come,  if  I  shall  be  kept  alive 
to  the  Close  of  it? 

In  the  beginning  of  y?  last  year  I  was  in  Deerfield, 
in  Cumberland  County,  New-Jersey,  with  the  Rev'?  Mf 
Green ;  Under  him  I  studied  the  Hebrew-Language 
and  Divinity.  I  left  the  college  the  last  of  September 
1772.  After  having  setled  my  business  at  Home,  I 
entered  upon  the  Study  of  Divinity  with  the  Rev^ 
Andrew  Hunter;^  1  was  with  him  about  a  Month,  and 
on  the  first  of  December  I  went  to  M^  Green  with  a 
design  to  acquaint  myself  with  the  Hebrew  Tongue; 
he  put  me  to  the  Grammar,  which  I  learned  through, 
and  read  some  Chapters  in  the  Psalter  in  the  Course 
of  the  Winter:  In  Divinity,  he  advised  me  to  read 
Ridgeleys  body  of  Divinity  for  a  System:  And  he 
gave  me  several  separate  treatises  on  Repentance, 
Regeneration,  Faith,  &c,  &  towards  spring  gave  me 
subjects  to  consider  in  the  Sermon-way,  Yet  how  bar- 
ren am  I  still  ?  It  is  an  arduous  task  to  bring  the 
Mind  to  close  application :  &  still  greater  to  lay  up  and 
retain  useful  Knowledge.  I  continued  with  M.":  Green 
&  pursued  my  studies,  I  hope  with  some  Success  till 
August  1773,  when   I   was   solicited  by  D^  Wither  spoon 

^Andrew  Hunter,  senior.     See  page  21,  n.  I. 


1774]                          JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS                               8l 
to  go  into  Virginia  &  teach  in  a  Gentlemans  Family 


The  offer  seem'd  profitable;  I  was  encouraged  by  the 
D^  and  was  to  have  his  Recommendation 1  had  like- 
wise myself  a  strong  inclination  to  go Yet  I  was  in 

great  Doubt,  &  Wholly  undetermined  for  some  Weeks, 
because  many  of  my  friends,  and  some  of  my  near  Rela- 
tions opposed  my  leaving  Home,  and  all  seem'd  utterly 

unwilling  to   advise  to  go It  is  time,  according  to 

the  Course  of  my  Life  they  said  that  I  was  settling  to 
some  constant  Employment,  and  they  told  me  I  ought 
especially  to  enter  with  as  great  speed  as  convenient 
into  that  plan  of  Life  for  which  I  have  in  particular  had 

my    Education That    Virginia   is    sickly That 

the   People  there  are  profane,   and   exceeding  wicked 

That  I  shall  read  there  no  Calvinistic  Books,  nor 

hear  any  Presb3'terian  Sermons That  I  must  keep 

much  Compan}-,   and    therefore  spend    as   much,   very 

probably  much  more  Money  than  my  Salary These 

considerations  unsettled  for  a  while  my  mind On 

the  other    hand    I    proposed   to   myself    the    following 

advantages    by    going A    longer    opportunity    for 

Study  than  my  friends  would  willingly  allow  me  If  I 
should  remain  at  home A  more  general  acquain- 
tance with  the  manners  of  Mankind  ;  and  a  better  Knowl- 
edge  of   the   Soil,   &   Commerce   of  these   neighboring 

Provinces And  a  more  perfect  acquaintance  with 

the  Doctrines,  &  method  of  Worship  in  the  established 
Church  in  the  Colonies,  &  especially  with  the  Conduct 
of  the  Clergy,  of  which  there  have  been  so  many  bad 

reports All  these  however  when  I  had  laid  them 

together,  seem'd  to  overbear  the  others,  so  that  I  deter- 
mined at  last  to  break  through  and  go! Here  now 

I  am  in  a  strange  Province ;  But  I  am  under  no  more 
nor  stronger  temptations  to  any  kind  of  vice,  perhaps 


82  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

not  SO  great  as  at  Cohansie. unless  sometimes  when 

I  am  solicited  to  dance  I  am  forc'd  to  blush,  for  my  In- 
ability   I  have  the  opportunity  of  living  with  Credit 

perfectly   retired in   a   well  regulated  family 

With  a  man  of  Sense May  God  help  me  to  walk  in 

his  fear  &  Glorify  his  name ! 

Monday  jd. 

Last  Evening,  by  Miss  Prissy,  I  was  complimented 
with  an   Invitation  from  M^    Turburville  to  Dine  with 

Him  tomorrow Squire  Lee^  is  as  Miss  Prissy  told 

me,  preparing  to  make  a  splendid  Ball,  which  is  to  last 

four  or  five  Days  ;  we  are  to  be  invited  ! But  I  must 

stay  at  Home  and  read  Sahcst. Mr  Carter  is  at  Rich- 
mond-Court, which  is  held  monthly  here  in  every 
County.  In  the  Evening  Mr  Warden,  a  young  Scotch 
Lawyer  came  home  with  him.       I  spent  the  Evening  in 

the   Parlour After  Supper  when  I  was  call'd  upon 

for  my  Tost  I  mentioned  with  Pleasure  Miss  Betsy 
Beaty. 

Teusday  4.. 

Rose    by  eight M"'.    Warden    breakfasted    with 

us.  Miss  Prissy  before  Breakfast,  as  it  is  her  practis- 
ing Day,  gave  us  sundry  Tunes  on  the  Forte  Piano.  I 
kept  the  children  while  twelve  then  as  we  were  to  dine 
out,    I   dismissed   them   till   morning,   and    prepar'd  to 

ride' Mr^  Carter,  Miss  Sylla,  and  Miss  Betsy  rode 

in  the  Chariot,  and  got  off  about  half  after  twelve  with 
three    waiting    men M^.  Carter,    Ben,   and    myself, 

'  Richard  Lee  of  Lee  Hall,  Westmoreland  County  (commonly  called 
"  Squire"  Lee),  who  represented  that  county  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Vir- 
ginia, almost  continuously  from  1757  to  1795.  {Am.  Hist.  Re-viewN.  5,  No. 
2,  301  n.  I.) 


Tlon-: 


a  nice  well  jn 


,i;)    «:>IIA    .KrnnrlT    „(...,.,.,  , ,,,,.,„.„,, 


Robert  Carter — The  Councillor 
Portrait  by  Reynolds 


(From  Some  Colonial  Maitsioits  by  Thomas  Allen  (ilenm 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  83 

waited,   &   left   Home    by  half  after  one,    we   rode   on 

Horse  back,  and  waited  on   ourselves It   was  two 

o-Clock  when   we   got   to   M^   Turburvilles^  where  we 

were  to  dine We  found  there  two  Gentlemen,  with 

their  Wives,  and  one  of  them  had  also  a  Son  &  Daugh- 
ter M^  Booth  came  also  in  a  short  time  after  us;  So  that 
there  dined  to  day  with  M^  Turburville  to  day  besides 

his  usual  Family  thirteen  Persons. And  if  I  mention 

the  Waiting  Men  With  the  Carriages  they  were  twenty. 
We  had  an  elegant  Dinner,  but  it  did  not  in  any  thing 
exceed  what  is  every  day  at  M^  Carters  Table. 

We  all  returned  Home  before  Dark In  the 

Evening  the  Colonel  is  bus}"  in  transposing  Music,  I  have 
not  been  at  any  house  since  I  left  Home,  which,  from 
the  appearance  of  its  Situation,  and  the  Economy  of  the 
Family,  or  any  other  apparent  Convenience,  I  would  so 
soon  choose  to  reside  in  as  a  Tutor,  as  the  one  in  which  it 

is  my  lot  to  be  placed The  Family  is  most  agreeable ! 

M^  Carter  is  sensible  judicious,  much  given  to  retire- 
ment &  Study ;    his    Company,   and    conversation    are 

always    profitable His    main    Studies   are    Lmu   & 

Alusic,   the    latter   of    which    seems    to    be    his    darling 

Amusement It  seem  to  nourish,  as  well  as  entertain 

his  mind!  And  to  be  sure  he  has  a  nice  well  judging 
Ear,  and  has  made  great  advances  in  the  Theory,  and 
Practice  of  music. 

M'?  Carter  is  prudent,  always  cheerful,  never  with- 
out Something  pleasant,  a  remarkable  Economist,  per- 
fectly acquainted  (in  my  Opinion)  with  the  good-man- 
agement of  Children,  intirely  free  from  all  foolish  and 
unnecessary  fondness,  and  is  also  well  acquainted  (for 
She  has  always  been  used)  with  the  formality  and  Cere- 

'  John  Turberville  (1737-1799)  of  Hickory  Hill.     His  wife  was  Martha 
(Corbin)  Turberville. 


84  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

mony  which  we  find  commonly  in  high   Life Ben/ 

the  eldest,  is  a  youth  of  genius :  of  a  warm  impetuous 
Disposition;  desirous  of  acquiring  Knowledge,  docile, 
vastly  inquisitive  &  curious  in  mercantile  and  mechanical 
Matters,  is  very  fond  of  Horses,  and  takes  great  pleas- 
ure in  exercising  them Bob,  the  other   Brother,  is 

By  no  means  destitute  of  capacity,  As  M^  Marshal  who 
was  his  last  Tutor  has  asserted,  &  many  now  suppose : 
He  is  extremely  volatile  &  unsettled  in  his  temper, 
which  makes  it  almost  wholly  impossible  to  fix  him  for 

any  time  to  the  same  thing On  which  account   he 

has  made  but  very  little  advancement  in  any  one  Branch 
of  Study,  and  this  is  attributed  to  Barrenness  of  Gen- 
ius  He  is  slovenly,  clumsy,  very  fond  of  Shooting, 

of  Dogs,  of  Horses,  But  a  very  stiff  untoward  Rider, 
good  natur'd,  pleased  with  the  Society  of  persons  much 
below  his  family,  and  Estate,  and  tho'  quick  and  wrath- 
ful in  his  temper,  yet  he  is  soon  moderated,  &  easily 
subdued Harry  the  Nephew,  is  rather  stoical,  sul- 
len, or  saturnine  in  his  make.  He  is  obstinate,  tho' 
Steady,  and  makes  a  slow  uniform  advance  in  his  Learn- 
ing, he  is  vastly  kind  to  me,  but  in  particular  to  my 
Horse,  of  his  health  or  Indisposition, 

Miss  Priscilla,  the  eldest  Daughter  about  16,  is 
steady,  studious,  docile,  quick  of  apprehension,  and 
makes  good  progress  in  what  She  undertakes ,  if  I 
could  with  propriety  continue  in  the  Family,  I  should 
require  no  stronger  Inducement  than  the  Satisfaction  I 
should  receive  by  seeing  this  young  Lady  become  per- 
fectly acquainted  with  anything  I  propose  so  soon  as  I 
communicate  it  to  her,  but  the  situation  of  my  affairs 
makes  it  out  of  my  power  to  stay  longer  than  a  year; 
She  is  small  of  her  age,  has  a  mild  winning  Presence,  a 

'  For  a  list  of  the  children  of  Councillor  Carter,  see  p.  70,  note  3. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  85 

sweet  obliging  Temper,  never  swears,  which  is  here  a 
a  distinguished  virtue,  dances  finely,  plays  well  onkey'd 
Instruments,  and  is  on  the  whole  in  the  first  Class  of 
the  female  Sex. 

Nancy  the  Second,  is  not  without  some  few  of  those 
qualities  which  are  by  some  (I  think  with  great  ill 
nature,  and  with  little  or  no  truth)  said  to  belong  in- 
tirely  to  the  fair  Sex.  I  mean  great  curiosity,  Eager- 
ness for  superiority.  Ardor  in  friendship,  But  bitterness 

and  rage  where  there  is  enmity She  is  not  constant 

in  her  disposition,   nor  diligent    nor    attentive    to    her 

business But    She    has    her    excellencies,    She    is 

cheerful,  tender  in  her  temper,  easily  managed  by  per- 
swasion,  &  is  never  without  what  seems  to  have  been  a 
common  Gift  of    Heaven,   to  the  fair-Sex,  the  "  Copia 

Vcrborjiin" ,  or  readiness  of  Expression! She  is  only 

beginning  to  play  the  Guitar,  She  understands  the  Notes 
well,  &  is  a  graceful  Dancer. 

Fanny   next,   is    in    her    Person,   according    to    my 

Judgment,   the    Flower    in  the    Family She   has  a 

strong  resemblance  of  her  Mama  who  is  an  elegant, 
beautiful  Woman Miss  Fanny  seems  to  have  a  re- 
markable Sedateness,  &  simplicity  in  her  countenance, 
which  is  always  rather  cheerful  than  melancholy ;  She 
has  nothing  with  which  we  can  find  Fault  in  her  Person, 
but  has  something  in  the  Features  of  her  Face  which 
insensibly  pleases  us,  &  always  when  She  draws  our 
Attention,  &  much  more  because  there  seems  to  be  for 
every  agreeable  Feature  a  correspondent  Action  which 
improves  &  adorns  it. 

Betsy  next  is  young,  quiet,  and  obedient. 

Harriot  is  bold,  fearless,  noisy  and  lawless;  always 
merry,  almost  never  displeased ;  She  seems  to  have  a 
Heart    easily   moved   by  the  force  of  Music;    She  has 


86  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

learned  many  Tunes  &  can  strike  any  Note,  or  Succes- 
sion of  Notes  perfectly  with  the  Flute  or  Harpsichord, 
and  is  never  wearied  with  the  sound  of  Music  either 
vocal  or  Instrumental. 

These  are  the  persons  who  are  at  present  under  my 
direction,  &  whose  general  character  I  have  very  im- 
perfectly attempted  to  describe. 

Wednesday  5. 

Rose  at  Seven.      The  morning  very  stormy.      Bob 

&  Nancy  before  Beakfast  had  a  quarrel Bob  called 

Nancy  a  Lyar;  Nancy  upbraided  Bob,  on  the  other 
Hand,  with  being  often  flog'd  by  their  Papa;  often  by 
the  Master  in  College;  that  he  had  stol'n  Rum,  &  had 

got  drunk;  &  that  he  used  to  run  away  &c These 

Reproaches  when  they  were  set  off  with  Miss  Nancys 
truely  feminine   address,  so  violently   exasperated  Bob 

that  he  struck  her  in  his  Rage I  was  at  the  time  in 

my  Chamber;  when  I  enter'd  the  Room  each  began 
with  loud  and  heavy  complaints,  I  put  them  off  how- 
ever with  sharp  admonitions  for  better  Behaviour. 

The    morning    was    so    extremely    stormy    that    I 

declin'd  going  to    Breakfast All    the  others    went 

my    Breakfast    was    sent   over Immediately    after 

Breakfast  Ben  came  over  with  a  Message  from  M^  Car- 
ter, that  he  desired  me  to  correct  Bob  severely  imme- 
diately   Bob  when  I  went  into  School  set  quiet  in 

the  corner,  &  looked  sullen,  and  patient;    I  gave  some 

orders  to  the  Children  and  went  to  my  Room, I 

sent  for  Bob He  came  crying I  told  him  his 

Father's  Message;    he    confess'd    himself   guilty 1 

sent  him  to   call  up  Harry He  came I  talked 

with  them  both  a  long  Time  recommended  Diligence, 
&  good  Behaviour,  but  concluded  by  observing  that  I 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  87 

was  obliged  to  comply  with  M":  Carters  request;  I  sent 

Harry  therefore  for  some   Whips Bob  and  poor  I 

remained  trembling  in  the  chamber  (for  Bob  was  not 
more  uneasy  than  I  it  being  the  first  attempt  of  the  kind 

I  have  ever  made The  Whips  came! I  ordered 

Bob  to  strip  ! He  desired  me  to  whip  Him  in  his  hand 

in   Tears I  told  him  no He  then  patiently,  & 

with  great  deliberation  took  off  his  Coat  and  laid  it  by 

I  took  him  by  the  hand  and  gave  him  four  or  five 

smart  twigs;  he  cring'd,  &  bawld  &  promis'd I  re- 
peated then  about  eight  more,  &  demanded  and  got 
immediately  his  solemn  promise  for  peace   among  the 

children,  &  Good  Behaviour  in  general 1  then  sent 

him  down He  conducts  himself  through   this  day 

with  great  Humilit}-,  &  unusual  diligence,  it  will  be 
fine  if  it  continues.  At  noon  I  went  over  to  Dinner, 
but  it  was  storming,  cS:  continues  so  bad  that  I  choose 
rather  to  go  without  Supper  than  venture  out  in  the 
Storm. 

Thursday  6. 

To  Day  about  twelve  Bob  &  Prissy  &  Nancy  went  in 
the  Chariot  to  StratfordS  to  attend  the  Dancing-School 

M":  Taylor,  the  Colonels  principal  Overseer  dined 

with   us After   School  in    the    Evening,  I   sat  with 

Betsy  &  Fanny  while  they  sung  me  many  songs.  When 
they  had  done  I  waited  on  them  Home,  &  spent  the 
Evening  with  M"^.  &  M^?  Carter. 

^  The  famous  old  Stratford  mansion,  at  this  time  occupied  by  Philip  Lud- 
well  Lee,  is  noted  as  the  birthplace  of  genius  and  the  headquarters  of  the  fash- 
ion and  nobility  of  the  Old  Dominion.  It  is  said  to  have  been  built  about  1730, 
for  President  Thomas  Lee,  by  Queen  Caroline,  from  her  privy  purse,  upon  his 
having  suffered  a  loss  by  fire.  See  Meade's  The  Lee  Family,  pp.  59-62;  also 
Lee's  Lee  of  Virginia,  pp.  II4-120. 


88  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Ft  yd  ay  7. 

The    morning    cold,    muddy    and    drisly Our 

School  seems  still,  and  vacant.  Betsy  &  Fanny  at  their 
Leisure  are  constantly  knitting  with  small  smoth  stiff 
straws,  in  imitation  of  their  Sister  Sylla,  who  knits 
sometimes.  The  Colonel  told  me  last  Evening  that  he 
proposes  to  make  the  vacant  End  of  our  School-Room, 
where  D":   Frank  lived  a  Concert-Room,  to  hold   all  his 

instruments  of  Music As  he  proposes  to  bring  up 

from  Williamslmrg  his  Organ,  &  to  remove  the  Harpsi- 
chord, Harmonica,  Forte-piano,  Guittar,  Violin,  &  German- 
Flutes,  &  make  it  a  place  for  Practice,  as  well  as  Enter- 
tainment. 

This  afternoon  Dennis,  a  Boy  of  about  twelve  years 
old,  one  of  the  Waiters  at  Table,  as  he  was  standing  in 
the  front  Door  which  is  vastly  huge  &  heavy  ;  the  Door 
flew  up,  and  drew  off  the  Skin  &  Flesh  from  his  middle 
Finger  caught  between,  took  off  the  first  Joint,  and  left 
the  Bone  of  the  greater  part  of  the  Rest  of  the  Finger 
naked. 

Saturday  8. 

Catechised  the  Children,  and  dismissed  them  about 

ten.     The  morning  pleasant Rode  before  Dinner  to 

M^   Blains  Store Was  introduced  to  D^    Thompson; 

M":  Balantine,  M":  Carr  a  young  Scotch-Man  Clerk,  to 
M":     Blain ;    dined    with    M^    Blain,    Parson    Smith,    his 

Wife,  &  her  Sister  were  there Colonel  Washington,^ 

his  Wife,  &  their  Daughter  Miss  Jenny  a  young  Lady 
of  few  words,  a  sanguine  Countenance,  and  as  to  her 
Size,  something  below  what  Ladies  call  elegant;  neat 
but  not  7?^r^/y/ in  her  Dress;  Some  of  her  Dress  I  admired 

'John  Augustine  Washington  of  Bushfield.    Miss  Jenny  subsequently  mar- 
ried Col.  William  Augustine  Washington,  a  cousin. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  89 

because  I  have  seen  Laura  in  the  like,  y(et)  it  strongly 
shewed  me  that  it  is  not  Dress  alone  that  I  admire  in 
Her.     All  these  had  been  at  a  Widding  in  the  country 

and  were   returning In   D":    TJiouisons   Room   there 

was  hanging  against  the  Wall  a  Skeleton  ! Balantine, 

either  to  shew  himself  a  true  full-blooded  Buck,  or  out 
of  mere  wantonness  &  pastime  turned  the  Bones  (as 
they  were  fixed  together  with  Wires)  into  many  im- 
proper and  indecent  postures ;  but  this  officious  industry 
met  with  such  reception  from  the  company  as  it  Justly 
merited,  and  as  I   wish'd  might  happen ;  for  they  gave 

visible  signs  of  their  contempt  of   his   Behaviour 

About  Six  in  the  Evening  the  Chariot  returned  with 
Bob,  Miss  Prissy  &  Nancy  from  the   Dance  at  Stratford 

They  brought  News  as   follows:   Miss   Prissy  told 

us,  that  they  had  an  elegant  Dance  on  the  Whole ;  that 
Colonel  Phlip  Lee,  where  they  met  to  Dance,  was  on 
Friday,  at  the  Wedding  of  which  I  made  mention  just 
now ;  M":  Christian  the  Master  danced  several  Minuets, 
prodigiously  beautiful;  that  Captain  Grigg  (Captain  of 
an  English  Ship)  danced  a  Minuet  with  her;  that  he 
hobbled    most    dolefully,  &    that    the   whole   Assembly 

laughed Bob  told  us  that  there  was  a  race  between 

M^ And  Colonels  Horses that  they  run  a  Mile, 

&   that  Dottrell  belonging   to   M":  won   the   Race ; 

Bob  told  me  in  private,  after  we  were  alone  in  my 

Room,  that  Colonel  Lee  took  an  Opportunity,  &  asked 
him  in  the  Hearing  of  a  large  company  at  Supper,  what 
sort  of  Fellozv  he  is  whom  your  Papa   has   provided  for 

your  Tutor Bob  told  me  that  for  answer  he  Informed 

him    I    was  good  and  agreeable That   Miss  Jenny 

Corbin,  (a  young  Lady  with  whom  I  have  had  the 
greatest  Opportunity  of  being  acquainted,  of  any  young 
Lady  in  Virginia)  gave  him   so  favourable   an  Account 


90  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

of  my  Behaviour,  that  he  was  pleased  to  say  He  should 

be  glad  to  see  me  at  his  House,  and  of  my  company 

But  after  having  heard  this  much,  I  shall  esteem  myself 
pardonable,  &  shall  always  think  it  proper  to  refuse 
without  thanks  his  warmest  Invitations;  and  will  plead 
for  my  excuse  nothing  else  than  mere  inclination. 

In  the  Evening  about  seven  o'Clock  it  snowed 
exceeding  fast  til  Eight  when  it  ceased,  it  being  the  sec- 
ond Snow  we  had  this  winter  here.  At  Supper  we  had 
much  conversation  about  the  Dance. 

Mr*  Carter  &  myself  sat  while  ten  and  the  Colonel 
read  Philosophy. 

Sunday  g. 

The  Morning  very  cold None  from  our  Family 

went  to  church ;  Bob  beg'd  of  me  to  let  him  go,  I 
refused   him ;    he  then  asked  to  go  and  dine  with  M^ 

Turbiirvillc,  I  gave   him  no   liberty.- I  wrote  to-Day 

a  letter  to  Laura,  I  wish  it  speed  &.  Success I  wrote 

also  a  letter  to  M":   Bryan  in  Baltimore;  Another  to  the 
Gentleman  who  keeps  the  "  Fountain  Inn  "  in  Baltimore; 
&  one  to  D^  JoJin  Beaty^ Bob  returned  in  the   Eve- 
ning after  having  stole  away  and  spent  the  day   at   M"" 
TurburvilFs  with  a  Note  to  his  Papa  from    Squire  Lee^, 

'  Dr.  John  Beatty,  brother  of  Elizabeth  who  was  afterwards  the  wife  of 
Philip  Fithian,  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  1769,  being  in  the  first  class 
under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Witherspoon  {1768),  and  a  classmate  of  Samuel 
Stanhope  Smith  who  succeeded  Dr.  Witherspoon.  He  served  with  distinction 
in  the  War  of  the  Revolution ;  was  appointed  successor  to  Elias  Boudinot 
(1778)  as  Commissary  General  of  prisoners,  with  the  rank  of  Major  ;  Delegate 
to  the  Continental  Congress,  i7S3-'85;  and  elected  Secretary  of  State,  (N.  J.) 
1795,  which  office  he  held  until  1805.  In  1804  he  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the 
bridge  over  the  Delaware,  at  Trenton,  which  is  the  present  structure,  and  which 
was  in  those  days  considered  a  marvel  of  engineering  skill.  Dr.  Beatty  was_ 
from  1785-1802,  a  Trustee  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey. 

*  Richard  Lee  of  Lee  Hall. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  91 

in  which  M^  Carter  &  his  Family  are  invited  to  the  Ball 
at  his  House  on  Monday  the  17th  Instant.  But  I  must 
stay  alone. 

Monday  lotli. 

The  Morning  very  cold Dined  with  us  to-day 

M":    Sanford  a  Captain  of  a  Sloop   which   trades  out  of 

Potoiumack  to  Norfolk 1  wrote  out  some   Exercises 

for  Bob  &  Harry In  the  evening-  the  Colonel  began 

with  a  small  Still  to  distill  some  Brandy  from  a  Liquor 
made  of  Pisimmonds.  I  set  Ben  this  Evening  to  writ- 
ing. I  likewise  gave  Catalincs  Speech  in  Salust  to  com- 
mit to  memory  in  Latin,  which  he  is  to  pronounce  Extem- 
pore.   In  the  Evening  I  borrowed  of  Ben  Carter  15/. 

I  have  plenty  of  Money  with  me,  but  it  is  in  Bills  of 
Philadelphia  currency  &  will  not  pass  at  all  here. 

Teusday  11 . 

The   morning  very  cold As  cold  I  think,  and 

the  Frost  seems  to  be  as  intense  &  powerful  as  I  have 
ever  known  it  either  at  Cohansie  or  Princeton.  This 
morning  I  put  Ben  to  construe  some  Greek,  he  has  yet 
no  Testament,  I  gave  him  therefore  Esops  Fables  in 
Greek,  and  Latin.  J  also  took  out  of  the  Library,  and 
gave  him  to  read  Gordon,  upon  Geography.  Ben  seem'd 
scared  with  his  Greek  Lesson,  he  swore,  &  wished  for 
Homer  that  he  might  kick  Him,  as  he  had  been  told 
Homer  invented  Greek. 

Wednesday  12. 

I  gave  Sa7n  Mr   Carters  Barber,  for  shaving  &  dress- 
ing me,  &  for  mending  my  Shoes,  two  pisterenes,  which 

pass  here  for  half  a  Crown The  morning  is  serene, 

pleasant,  but  cold  yet.  Miss  Hariot  this  morning  being 
over  curious  tasted  some  Mercury  Mixture  in  M":  Raii- 


92  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

dolpJi  s  Room,  it  made  her  very  sick;  I  was  frightened, 
the  family  was  frightened !  She  puked,  and  threw  it  off 
her  Stomach,  &  was  soon  relieved. 

I  gave  MartJia  who  makes  my  Bed,  for  a  Christmas 
Box,   a   Bit,  which  is    a    pisterene    cut  into  two  equal 

parts I  gave   to   John   also,  who  waits  at  Table  & 

calls  me  to  Supper  a  Bit.  So  that  My  whole  Expence 
to-Day  has  been  j/p. 

M":^  Carter  invited  me  to  Day  to  go  to  the  Ball,  I 
excused  myself,  &  declined  it. 

Thursday  ij. 

M^   Cunningham  came  before  noon  to  skait At 

twelve  we  all  went  down  to  M":    Carters  Millpond 

none  had  skaits  but  M^  Cunningham we  diverted 

ourselves  on  the  Ice  til  two,  when  we  went  up  to  Din- 
ner    Immediately     after     Dinner    M^     Carter    Miss 

Prissy  &  Nancy  rode  out  to  Mr  Lanes M^  Cunning- 
ham staid  the  Night,  Prissy  play'd  for  us she  has 

since  I  came  made  great  advances. 

Fry  day  i^. 

The  morning  very  foggy,  &  warmer I  gave  to 

Tom  the  Coach-man  who  cured  my  Horse  two  pistcr- 
encs  &  half  a  Bit,  which  is  two  &   nine-pence  2/9.     M^ 

Cunningham  breakfasted  with  us When  I  went  into 

School  there  came  a  complaint  from  Miss  Sally  Stanhope  ^ 
of  Bob  that  he  was  rude,  swore,  &  quarrell'd  at  Break- 
fast, poor  untoward,  unfortunate  Boy  he  gives  me  great 
Trouble. 

Saturday  /j. 

I  rose  at  Seven The  morning  fair   the  ground 

muddy Ben  asked  me  to  ride  with  him  to  M^  Blains 

*  The  housekeeper. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  93 

Store  I  chose  rather  to  stay  at  Home Ben  is  pre- 
paring for  the  approaching- Ball Bob   urged   me  to 

let  him  go  to  M^  Lees,  but  he  is  so  unruly  &  mischiev- 
ous when  abroad  that  I  was  obliged  to  refuse  him  the 
liberty  of  going.  I  spent  some  hours  to  Day  with  the 
Girls  when  they  were  practising  Music  on  the  Guitar,  & 
Forte-piano,  Priscilla  plays  her  tunes  true  and  exceeding 

finely In  the  Evening  Ben  returned  from  M":  Blains 

He  told  me  the  Store  was  thronged  with  compan}' 

Sup'd  on  chocolate,  &  hoe-Cake,  so  Called  because 

baked  on  a  Hoe  before  the  fire The  Colonel  and  his 

Daughter  busy  at  Music. 

Stinday  i6. 

The  morning  frosty  &  cold Ben,  Bob,  Harry  Si 

M^  Randolph  went  to  Church I  stay  at  Home  ;  Read 

Pictete 1  feel  very  desirous  of    seeing    Home:   of 

hearing  good  M^  Hunter  Preach,  of  seeing  my  dear 
Brothers  &  Sister;  Indeed  the  very  soil  itself  would  be 

precious  to  me  ! I  am  shut  up  in  my  chamber ;  I  read 

a  while,  then  walk  to  the  North  window,  &  look 
over  Potowmack  through  Maryland  towards  Home ; 
then  throw  myself  down  into  my  Chair  again  &  console 
myself  that  I  have  every  necessary  &  convenient  Accom- 
modation here,  which  I  should  have ;  nay  much  more 
than  I  should  allow  myself  were  I  at  Home.  I  am  con- 
tented   This  whole  world  is  only  a  Point  almost  un- 

noticeable,  when  compared  with  the  numerous  Systems 
which  compose  the  universe,  &  yet  they  all  are  under 
the  particular  Direction  &  Government  of  Almighty  God; 
How  insignificant  therefore  is  it  to  me  and  how  foolish 
to  be  uneasy,  &  solicitous  whether  I  live  in  Cohansie,  in 
Princeton,  or  in  Virginia;  Or  in  America,  or  in  Europe, 
so  long  as  I  am  still  supported,  &  upheld  by  the  Divine 


94  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Agency  ! I  am  fully  satisfied Guide  me,  propi- 
tious Heaven!  Help  me  to  Glorify  my  God;  to  honor 
the  holy  Religion  which  I  profess;  &,  If  I  shall  be  fitted, 
&  introduced  to  the  Ministry,  may  I  still  go  on  and  be  of 

advantage  to  my  fellow  Mortals ! Evening,  The  Boys 

are  returned ;  Bod  brings  me  the  parsons  Compliments ; 
M^   Cunninghams ;  &  that  Miss  Corbin  enquired  if   I  was 

well! Bob  also   informed  me   that  the  Parson,  M^ 

Blain,  Cunningham,  Balantinc,  &  others  are  to  come  to 
Captain  Turbjirvilles  Mill- Pond  to  Skate  before  they  go 
to  the  Ball. 

Monday  ij. 

At  Breakfast  the  Colonel  gave  orders  to  the  Boys 
concerning    their    conduct    this    Day,    &     through    the 

course  of  the  Ball He  allows  them  to  go;    to   stay 

all  this  Night;  to  bring  him  an  Account  of  all  the  Com- 
pany at  the  Ball;  &  to  return  to-morrow    Evening 

All  the  morning  is  spent  in   Dressing. M^   Carter  & 

M":^  Carter  pressed  me  to  go;  But,  mindful  of  my  Prom- 
ise when  I  left  Home,  I  stay  and  enjoy  myself  in  quiet. 

I  give  the  Children  a  Holiday   to  Day I  gave 

Dennis  the  Waiter  half  a  Bit  a  Present 'W?  Carter, 

Miss  Prissy  &  Nancy  dressed  splendidly  set  away  from 
Home  at  two. 

Teusday  18. 

M":?  Carter,  &  the  young  Ladies  came  Home  last 
Night  from  the  Ball,'  &  brought  with  them  M"^.^  Lane, 
they  tell  us  there  were  upwards  of  Seventy  at  the  Ball; 
forty-one  Ladies;  that  the  company  was  genteel;  &  that 

1  Given  by  Richard   Lee  of  Lee  Hall,  Westmoreland  County,  commonly 
called  "  Squire  "  Lee,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Assembly  almost  con- 
inuouslyfrom  I757-I795- 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  95 

Colonel  Harry  Lcc,^  from  Dumfries,  &  his  Son  Harry 
who  was  with  me  at  College,  were  also  there ;  M?  Car- 
ter made  this  an  argument,  and  it  was  a  strong  one  in- 
deed, that  to-day  I  must  dress  &  go  with  her  to  the  Ball 

She  added  also  that  She   desired  my   Company  in 

the  Evening  when  she  should  come  Home   as  it  would 

be  late After  considering  a  while   I   consented  to 

go,  &  was  dressed we  set  away  from  M":  Carters  at 

two ;  'W?  Carter  &  the  3^oung  Ladies  in  the  Chariot,  M? 

Lane  in  a  Chair,  &  myself   on    Horseback As  soon 

as  I  had  handed  the  Ladies  out,  I  was  saluted  by  Parson 
Smith;  I  was  introduced  into  a  small  Room  where  a 
number  of  Gentlemen  were  playing  Cards  (the  first 
game  I  have  seen  since  I  left  Home)  to  lay  off  my  Boots 

Riding-Coat  &c. Next  I  was  directed  into  the  Din- 

ing-Room  to  see  young  Mr.  Lcc;"^  He  introduced   me  to 

his  Father With  them  I  conversed  til  Dinner,  which 

came  in  at  half  after  four.  The  Ladies  dined  first,  when 
some  Good  Order  was  preserved;  when  they  rose,  each 
nimblest  Fellow  dined  first The  Dinner  was  as  ele- 
gant as  could  be  well  expected  when  so  great  an  Assem- 

'  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  Lee  (1729-1787)  of  Leesylvania,  Prince  William 
County,  was  a  brother  of  "  Squire  "  Lee,  the  host,  and  a  first  cousin  of  Richard 
Henry  Lee;  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  and  took  an  active  part 
in  all  the  stirring  events  of  the  time.  His  son  Henry  (1756-1818')  was  grad- 
uated from  Princeton  College  in  1773  and  afterwards  became  the  celebrated 
cavalry  leader  of  the  Revolution  under  the  sobriquet  of  "  Light  Horse  Harry." 
Henry  Lee,  Jr's  first  wife  was  the  "  Divine  Matilda,"  daughter  of  Philip  Lud- 
well  Lee.  By  his  second,  Ann,  daughter  of  Charles  Carter  of  Shirley,  he  had 
six  children  of  whom  the  best  known  is  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee.  Henry  Lee,  Jr. 
was  governor  of  Virginia  1792-1795,  and  member  of  Congress  ;  while  there  he 
pronounced  his  great  eulogy  on  Washington,  in  which  he  originated  the  famous 
phrase,  "  First  in  war,  first  in  peace,  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  country-men." 
Gen.  Henry  Lee  died  at  Cumberland  Island,  Georgia,  the  home  of  his  old  com- 
mander General  Greene,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1818. 

'  /.  e.  Henry  Lee,  Jr. 


0  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

bly  were  to  be  kept  for  so  long  a  time. For  Drink, 

there  was  several  sorts  of   Wine,  good   Lemon   Punch, 

Toddy,  Cyder,  Porter  &c. About  Seven  the  Ladies 

&  Gentlemen  begun  to  dance  in  the  Bail-Room first 

Minuets  one  Round ;  Second  Giggs ;  third  Reels ;  And 
last  of  All  Country-Dances;  tho'  they  struck  several 
Marches  occasionally 'The  Music  was  a  French- 
Horn  and  two   Violins The  Ladies   were   Dressed 

Gay,   and    splendid,  &   when   dancing,   their    Skirts   & 

Brocades  rustled  and  trailed  behind  them! But  all 

did  not  join  in  the  Dance  for  there  were  parties  in 
Rooms  made  up,  some  at  Cards;  some  drinking  for 
Pleasure;  some  toasting  the  Sons  of  america;  some 
singing  "  Liberty  Songs"  as  the}^  call'd  them,  in  which 
six,  eight,  ten  or  more  would  put  their  Heads  near 
together  and  roar,  &  for  the  most  part  as  unharmonious 

as  an  affronted Among  the  first  of  the  Vociferators 

was  a  young  Scotch-Man,  M^  Jack  Cunningham  ;  he  was 
nimis  bibendo  appotus;   noisy,  droll,  waggish,  yet  civil 

in  his  way  &  wholly   inoffensive 1  was  solicited  to 

dance  by  several,  Captain  Chelton,  Colonel  Lee,  Harry 
Lee,  and  others ;  But  George  Lee,Mvith  great  Rude- 
ness as  tho'  half  drunk,  asked  me  why  I  would  come  to 
the  Ball  &  neither  dance  nor  play  Cards?  I  answered 
him  shortly,  (for  his  Impudence  moved  my  resentment) 
that  my  Invitation  to  the  Ball  would  Justify  my  Pres- 
ence;  &  that  he  was  ill  qualified  to  direct  my  Behaviour 

who  made  so  indifferent  a  Figure   himself Parson 

Smiths,  &  Parson   Gibberns  Wives  danced,  but  I  saw 

neither  of  the  Clergymen  dance  or  game At  Eleven 

M^=  Carter  call'd  upon  me  to  go,  I  listened  with  gladness 

•  Probably  either  George  Fairfax  Lee,  son  of  George  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant, 
or  George  Lee,  son  of  Col.  Thomas  Ludwell  Lee  of  Bellevue.  {Am.  Hist.  Re- 
viewV.  5,  No.  2,  301.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  97 

to  the  summons  &  with  M"".^  Lane  in  the  Chariot  we  rode 

Home,  the  Evening  sharp  and   cold ! I   handed  the 

Ladies  out,  waited  on  them  to  a  warm  Fire,  then  ran 
over  to  my  own  Room,  which  was  warm  and  had  a 
ffood  Fire;  oh  how  welcome!  Better  this  than  to  be  at 
the  Ball  in  some  corner  nodding,  and  awaked  now  & 

then  with  a  midnight  Yell! In   my   Room   by   half 

after  twelve;  &  exceeding  happy  that  I  could  break 
away  with  Reputation. 

Wednesday  ig. 

Rose  at  Nine  while  the  Bell  was  ringing Break- 
fasted at  ten,  M^   Carter  and  I  alone,  the   Ladies  yet  in 

Bed I  gave  the  Children  the   third   Holiday ;  Bob 

Bill  &  Harry  are  yet  at  the  Dance M'^^^  Carter  de- 
clines going  to  Day,  I  took  a  Walk  out  before  Dinner, 
&  with  my  Pen-knife  carved  Laura's  much  admired 
Name,  vipon  a  smooth  beautiful  Beech-Tree To- 
wards Evening  M^^  Lane  left  us  and  rode  home Bob 

came  Home  about  six,  but  so  sleepy  that  he  is  actually 
stupified ! 

TJiursday  20. 

Ben  came  Home  late  in  the  Night This  morn- 
ing he  looks  fatigued  out.  We  began  to  study  to  Day 
but  all  seem  sleepy  and  dull.  Dined  with  us  to-day 
M':  Lee  a  Gentleman  from  Augusta  County,  who  has 
lately  been  to  the  Settlements  on  Ohio.  Evening  I 
began  some  Verses  on  Miss  Carter  for  a  present  at  the 

approaching    Valantine But    I    drew    the    Picture 

from  Laura. 

Fry  day  21 . 

All  seem  tolerably  recruited  this  morning  ;  we  hear, 
the  company  left  the    Ball   last   Evening    quite  wearied 


98  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

out;   tho'   the  Colonel   intreated   them   to  stay  the  pro- 
posed Time. 

To  Day  about  twelve  came  to  M::  Carters  Captain 
John  Lec,^  a  Gentleman  who  seems  to  copy  the  Character 
of  Addisons  Will  Wimble.  When  I  was  on  my  way  to 
this  place  I  saw  him  up  in  the  country  at  Stafford ;  he 
was  then  just  sallying  out  on  his  Winters  Visit,  &  has 
got  now  so  far  as  here,  he  stays,  as  I  am  told  about 
eight,  or  ten  Weeks  in  the  year  at  his  own  House,  the 
remaining  part  he  lives  with  his  Waiting  Man  on  his 
Friends. 

Saturday  22. 

Captain    Lee  with    us    to    Day The    Weather 

cold ;  I  sat  in  my  Room  all  Day  working  at  my  Verses 
for  Miss  Carter. 

Sunday  2j. 

None  went  to  Church  on  account  of  Cold After- 
noon the  Sun  shone  fair I   took  my   Horse  &  rode 

about  a  Mile  and  returned Captain  Lee  left  us   this 

Day. 

Monday  2^. 

Still  very  cold  snows Dined   with  us  Colonel 

Frank  L.  Lee,^  &  CoXonoi  Harrison  of  Mar3'land Miss 

Nancy  unwel  of  a  cold. There  are  great  Professions 

'  Probably  Major  John  Lee  of  Orange  County,  Va.,  third  son  of  Hancock 
Lee  &  Mary  Willis,  his  wife,  and  a  distant  cousin  of  the  Lees  of  Westmoreland. 

^  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  fourth  son  of  President  Thomas  Lee,  and  brother 
of  Richard  Henry,  was  born  at  Stratford,  October  14th,  1734.  Elected  to  the 
House  of  Burgesses  for  Loudon  County  in  1765.  Married  (1772)  Rebecca, 
daughter  of  Colonel  John  Tayloe,  of  Mt.  Airy,  and  established  his  residence  at 
"  Menokin,"  in  Richmond  County,  which  he  represented  in  the  House  of  Bur- 
gesses. He  was  elected  delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress,  177 5-1 779. 
He  died  at  Menokin,  during  the  winter  of  1797. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  99 

of  Liberty  here  expressed  in  Songs  Toasts,  &c.  Yester- 
day News  came  of  the  Arrival  of  Ships  with  Tea;  into 
Boston,  Nczu-york,  Philadelphia,  ik.  of  the  New-Yorkers 
burning  the  House  of  his  Excellency  Governor  Tryo)i} 
for  having  said  that,  if  orders  concerning  the  Tea  had 
been  transmitted  to  him  he  would  have   landed   it  tho' 

under  the  mouths  of   the  Cannon! Gentlemen    here 

in  general  applaud  &  honour  our  Northern  Colonies  for 
so  manly,  &  patriotic  Resistance ! 

Teusday  2§. 

Still  sharp  &  cold  — —  Miss  Nancy  much  indisposed 

with  a  sore  throat Dined  with  us  M":   Cunningham. 

Toasts  the  King,  Queen,  Governor,'''  &  Colonel,  of  Virginia. 
Northern  Sons  of  Liberty,  &  a  good  price  for  our  com- 

odities This  Day  the  Person  who  carried  my  Letters 

to  Baltimore  returned  without   any    Letters   or  Intelli- 


Wednesday  26. 

The  weather  this  morning  seems  to  have  moderated 

Miss  Naney  is  poorly  but  better In  the  Evening 

I  ran  a  Foot  Race  with  Ben  &  Harry  for  Exercise,  &  a 
prize  of  ten  Apples  to  the  winner,  We  ran  from  the 
School-House  round  the  stable,  &  Kitchen  &  Great- 
House  which  Distance  is  about  70  Rod I  came  out 

first  about  One  Rod  ;  but  almost  wholly    spent;    I   went 

1  William  Tryon,  Governor  of  New  York  1 771-1778,  was  thoroughly 
detested  by  the  patriots  for  his  inhumanity.  His  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  at 
midnight,  December  2gth,  1773,  together  with  all  of  his  personal  effects.  In 
consideration  of  this  misfortune  the  Assembly  presented  him  $20,000.  Gov. 
Tryon  left  for  England  in  April,  1774,  and  on  his  departure  was  honored  with 
addresses  and  public  dinners  by  the  Royallists,  and  Kings  College  (now  Col- 
umbia University)  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  LL.  D. 

^  John  Murray,  Earl  of  Dunmore  and  a  descendant  of  the  Stuarts,  Gover- 
nor of  Virginia  from  1771  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  in  1775. 


lOO  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  my  Chamber  and  lay  down,  sick,  fainty,  &  quite  dis- 
tressed, I  puked  several  times;  after  having  rested  a 
while,  however,  I  revived  and  went  well  to  Supper,  & 
Spend  the  Evening  in  Writing.  At  Supper  from  the 
conversation  I  learned  that  the  slaves  in  this  Colony 
never  are  married,  their  Lords  thinking  them  improper 
Subjects  for  so  valuable  an  Institution. 

TJiursday  2j. 

The   morning   mild   Serene  and  moderate The 

Colonel  is  making  preparations  for  a  Journey  to  Anap- 
olis,  where  he  Designs  next  month.  In  the  Evening, 
(for  here  they  call  the  time  between  Dinner  and  day- 
light-End Evening,)  He  &  M?  Carter  shewed  me  their 
House;  the  original  Design,  the  present  form;    &  what 

is  yet  to   be  done Miss   Nancy  came   down   stairs 

to  Day. 

Fry  day  28. 

Snows  this  morning  Briskly Ben  is   in  a  great 

fev-er  lest  the  Weather  shall  stop  him  from  a  Ride  he 

has    alloted    for    to-morrow At    twelve   the    Snow 

ceased.  Depth  about  five  Inches I  corrected  Harry 

for  the  first  time  to-day  for  expressing  himself  inde- 
cently to  Prissy. 

Saturday  2p. 

Ben  is  preparing  himself  to   go   out while  we 

were  dining  about  three  it  began  to  Snow  briskly 

After  Dinner  when  I  went  over  to  my  Room  I  was  very 
much    surprised    to    find    my  Room    full   of    Smoke  & 

Flame! A  kind  Providence  only  prevented  the  total 

Loss   of  our  School-House  &   all  its  Furniture,  &  our 

own    Clothes   Books  &c! A   Coal   of    Fire   had  by 

accident  (as  the   Hearth  is   very  narrow)  fall'n  on  the 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  lOI 

floor,  it  took  fire,  &  when  I  entered  it  was  burning  rap- 
idly  It  had  burst  three  Boards  about  eight  Inches 

from  the  Hearth,  &  most  certainly  in  a  short  time  would 

have  been  inextinguishable I   put  it  out,  however, 

speedily,  &  had  all  the  fire  removed The  Weather  is 

as   wintry    here  in  every  Respect  as  I  have  ever  known 

it  in  New  Jersey M"!  Carter  has  a  Cart  &  three  pair 

of  Oxen  which  every  Day  bring  in  four  Loads  of  Wood, 
Sunday  excepted,  &  yet  these  very  severe  Days  we 
have  none  to  spare ;  And  indeed  I  do  not  wonder,  for  in 
the  Great  House,  School  House,  Kitchen,  &c.  there  are 
twenty-Eight   steady   fires!  &   most  of  these    are  very 

Large! After  Supper,  when  all  had  retired  but  M? 

Carter,  iSL  Carter  &  Myself,  the  Conversation  being  on 
serious  Matters,  M":  Carter  observed  that  he  much  dis- 
likes the  common  method  of  making  Burying  Yards 
round  Churches,  &  having  them  almost  open   to  every 

Beast He  would  have  them  at  some  small  distance 

from  the  Church,  neatly  and  strongly  enclosed,  and  the 
Graves  kept  up  decent,  &  plain,  but  would  have  no 
splendid,  nor  magnificent  Monument,  nor  even  stone  to 

say  "  Hie  jacet  ". He  told  us  he  proposes  to   make 

his  own   Coffin  &   use   it  for  a  chest  til  its  proper  use 

shall  be   required That  no  Stone,  nor   Inscription 

be  put  over  him And  that  he  would  choose   to  be 

laid  under  a  shad}-  Tree  where  he  might  be  undisturbed 

&  sleep  in  peace  &  obscurity. He  told  us,  that  with 

his  own  hands  he  planted,  and  is  with  great  diligence 
raising  a  Catalpa-TxtQ  at  the  head  of  his  Father '  who 
lies  in  his  Garden. 

M^  Carter  beg'd  that  She  might  have  a  Stone,  with 
this  only  for  a  Monument,  "  Here  lies  Aim    Taskcr  Car- 

*  Robert  Carter  of  Nomini  Hall,  son  of  "  King  "  Carter,  died  about  1732. 
The  catalpa  is  still  standing  (igoo)  and  marks  the  spot. 


I02  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

ter.''  ^  with  these  things  for  my  consideration  I  left  them 
about  ten  and  went  to  my  cold  Room,  &  was  hurried 
soon  to  Bed ;  Not  however  without  reflecting  on  the 
importance  of  our  preparation  for  this  great  Change ! 

Sunday  jo. 

Very    stormy    this    morning  with    Rain    and    Hail 
which   instantly    freezes;  the   trees   hang  bending  with 

Ice,  &  the   ways  are  all  glassy   &   slippery None 

think  of  going  to  Church  this  day M":^  Carter  and  I 

after    Breakfast  had   a  long  conversation   on  religious 

affairs Particularly  on  differing  Denominations  of 

Protestants She  thinks  the  Religion  of  the  estab- 
lished Church  without  Exception  the  best  of  any  in- 
vented or  practised  in  the  world,  &  indeed  she  converses 
with  great  propriety  on  these  things,  &  discovers  her 
very  extensive  Knowledge;  She  allows  the  Difference 
between  the  Church,  &  Presbyterianism  to  be  only 
exceeding  small,  &  wishes  they  were  both  intirely 
united!  Through  this  whole  Day  it  storms  but  the  Eve- 
ning is  terrible !  almost  an  Inundation  of  Rain ;  The 
wind  violent  at  North-East;  The  Snow,  Hail,  and  Rain 
freezing  together  on  the  Ground !  This  Evening  the 
Negroes  collected  themselves  into  the  School-Room,  & 
began  to  play  the  Fiddle,  &  dance I  was  in  M":  Ran- 
dolph's Room; I  went  among  them,  Ben,  &   Harry 

were  of  the  company Harry  was  dancing   with  his 

Coat  off I  dispersed  them  however  immediately. 

Monday  ji. 

Excessive  sloppy Miss  Nancy  came  to  School 

to  Day 1  finished  my  verses  which  are  to  be  pre- 
sented as  a  Valantine  to  Miss  Prissy  Carter. 

^  Mrs.  Carter  (Frances  Ann  Tasker)  was  the  daughter  of  Hon.  Benjamin 
Tasker,  of  Maryland. 


Mrs.  Robert  Carter 


(From  Soiiii-  Cohyiiial  Mansiovs  by  Thomas  Allen  (lleni 


lo:: 


and    Hr: 


in'ji;)  nail/-.  ^'.BrnorlT  yd  iw«\i«to\ti  \j»»\vvn\0  -swciV 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  IO3 

Teusday,  February  li' ,  1774.. 

Fair  &  mild  but  vastly  muddy About  twelve 

Squire  Lcc^  &  young  Harry  Lee,  who  was  a  College- 
Fellow,  came  to  see  us,  they  staid  while  about  five.    The 

Toasts  at  Dinner  were  as  usual The  Colonel  &  M? 

Carter  seem  Much  pleased  with  Harry,  &  with  his 
manner. 

Wednesday  2. 

The  weather  vastly  fine.     At  twelve   o-Clock  the 

Colonel  &  Miss  Prissy  rode  out  for  an  airing Prissy 

This  da}-  began  Multiplication.  We  had  also  a  large 
elegant  Writing  Table  brought  to  us,  so  high  that  the 
Writers  must  stand. 

TImrsday  j. 

Prissy,  &  Nancy  practising  music We  had  last 

night  Thunder,  lightning,  &  a  very  great  shower. 

Fry  day  4. 

I   put  Ben   this   day  into   virgil We    had   our 

Room  mended  &  came  into  it at  twelve   I  rode  out 

to  M":  Taylors  about  two  Miles,  in  again  by  Dinner- 
Time Dined  with  us  one  M":^  Hut This  Even- 
ing, in  the  School-Room,  which  is  below  my  Chamber, 
several  Negroes  &  Beti,  &  Harry  are  playing  on  a  Banjo 
&  dancing. 

Saturday  5. 

I  spent  the  morning  in  my  Room,  Ben  &  Bob  are 
gone  out.  About  twelve  came  on  a  visit  M":  Goodlett,  & 
Sam!.  Fantleroy ;  I  spent  the  remainder  of  the  day  with 

'  "  Squire  "  Richard  Lee  of  Lee  Hall,  and  his  nephew  Henry  Lee  ("  Light 
Horse  Harry- ''). 


I04  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

them At  Dinner  when  call'd  upon  for  a  Toast  I 

gave  Miss  Sally  Hollinshcad. 

M^  Goodlett  told  me  he  has  had  an  Invitation,  to 
accept  a  School  in  Leeds,  a  town  on  the  River  Rapahan- 
nock,  about  25  Miles  from  this  up  &  across  the  Country. 

Sufiday  6. 

I  rode  to  Church  M?  Carter  &  Miss  Prissy  &  Nancy 

were  out M":  Smith  gave  us  a  Sermon   14  Minutes 

long  on  Charity But  poor  Fellow  he  seem'd   Cold 

as  his  Subject! 

M^  Fantleroy,  &  M^  Goodlet  dined  with  us  and  set 

off  for  Home  as  soon  as  we  rose  from  Dinner This 

day  two  Negro  Fellows  the  Gardiner  &  cooper,  wrang- 
led ;  &  at  last  fought;  It  happened  hard  however  for  the 
Cooper,  who  is  likely  to  lose  one  of  his  Eyes  by  that 
Diabolical  Custom  of  gouging  which  is  in  common 
practise  among  those  who  fight  here. 

Evening  Ben  returned ;  he  had  been  into  North- 
umberland to  see  one  M":  Jones.  M":  Goodlett,  to  Day, 
shewed  me  a  piece  of  his  own  performance,  a  paraphrase 
on  part  of  the  Book  of  Job,  done  in  Lattin-Verse. 

Monday  7. 

The  Day  pleasant,  &  seems  to  have  some  appear- 
ance of   Spring M*:   Blain   call'd  this  Afternoon,  & 

told    us    that    by  a  Letter   he    hears    Lady  Dunmore  is 

arrived    in    New-York and    that    many    good    & 

wealthy  Families  arrived  in  the  same  Ship It  is  in- 
deed amazing,  &  it  will  soon  astonish  the  whole  World, 
to  consider  the  Rapidity  of  the  growth  of  these  Col- 
onies. 

At  Supper,  M^  Carter  informed  me  it  is  his  purpose 
to  manifacture  30,000  Bushels  of  wheat  in  his  New-Mill 
which  is  yet  scarcely  finished. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  105 

Teusday  8. 

Before  Breakfast  Nancy  &  Fanny  had  a  Fight  about 

a  Shoe  Brush  which  they  both  wanted Fanny  puU'd 

off  her  Shoe  &  threw  at  Nancy,  which  missed  her  and 
broke  a  pane  of  glass  of  our  School  Room,  they  then 
enter'd  upon  close  scratching  &c.  which  methods  seem 
instinctive  in  Women.  Harry  happen'd  to  be  present 
&  afraid  lest  he  should  be  brought  in,  ran  and  informed 
me I  made  peace,  but  with  many  threats. 

Mr?  Carter  has  ordered  the  Gardener  to  sew  Lettice, 
&  plant  Peas  this  Day  in  the  Garden. 

Wedtiesday  g. 

The  day  ver}-  blustry  &;  cold I  gave  Prissy  a 

Coppy  of  Secretary-Hand,  at  her  particular  request. 

Thursday  10. 

We  had  the  Virginia  Gazette  to  day  in  which  the 
accounts  concerning  the  destroying  the  Tea  at  Boston 

are  confirmed &  also  an  account  of  the   Burning  of 

the  House  of  Governor  Tryon.  Dined  with  us  Colonel 
Frank  Lee  :  his  Wife  &  Captain  Jolui  Lee.  Toasts  after 
Dinner,  the  King,  Queen,  Absent  Friends,  Governor  of 
Virginia,  &  his  Lady  just  arrived,  &  Success  to  Amer- 
ican Trade  &  Commerce. 

Fry  day  11 . 

The  Company  staid  all  Night at  Breakfast  the 

conversation  was  on  a  terrible  Distemper  which  is  in 
this  County  at  present;  &  which  in  Maryland  last  year 
about  this  time  carried  off  hundreds,  and  is  call'd  the 
''putrid  Q2iinsy'\  M":  Carter  has  a  man  lying  now 
dangerously  ill  of  it. 

What  they  do  in  the  Disorder  is,  when  the  Inflam- 


I06  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHI/ N  [1774 

ation  is  first  observed,  bleeding;  then  give  the  Bark  & 
Salt-petre,  or  Nitre  and  Gargles  to  cleanse  the  mouth. 

Our  company  left  us  before  dinner Last  night 

I  took  Bob  to  my  Room,  after  having  in  the  course  of 
the  Day  corrected  him  thrice,  &  reasoned  with  him  con- 
cerning the  impropriety  of  his  Behaviour;  at  the  same 
time  I  acquainted  him  with  my  final  resolution  to  send 
him  over  for  correction  every  Day  to  his  Papa's  Study, 
which  has  so  strong  an  Effect  on  him  (as  all  the  Chil- 
dren are  in  remarkable  Subjection  to  their  Parents)  that 
he  firmly  promised  to  attend  to  my  advice,  «&  thro'  this 
Day  has  been  punctual  to  his  word. 

I  spent  the  Evening  with  the  Family  to  hear  the 
music.  For  every  evening  Prissy  &  Nancy  play  the 
whole  Evening  for  practice  &  besides  every  Week  half 
of  Teusday,  Thursday  &  Saturday.  We  were  informed 
that  the  Carter  who  goes  with  the  Team  is  ill  of  the  sore 
Throat! 

Saturday  12. 

After  having  dismissed  the  School  I  went  over  to 

Mr.   Carters  Study We  conversed  on  many  things, 

&  at  length  on  the  College  of  William  &  Mary  ^  at  Will- 
iamsburg. He  informed  me  that  it  is  in  such  confusion 
at  present,  and  so  badly  directed,  that  he  cannot  send 
his  Children  with  propriety  there  for   Improvement  & 

useful  Education  ^ That  he  has  known  the  Professors 

to  play  all  Night  at  Cards  in  publick  Houses  in  the  City, 

^  Founded  at  Williamsburg,  Virginia,  in  1693,  upon  the  basis  of  a  charter 
granted  by  King  William  and  Queen  Mary.  At  this  date  (1773)  it  was  the 
richest  college  in  America,  but  the  Revolution  deprived  it  of  its  main  sources 
of  income  and  destroyed  part  of  its  property. 

^  It  was  doubtless  reasons  such  as  these,  and  the  prevalence  of  atheism  at 
William  and  Mary  College,  that  induced  the  father  of  James  Madison  to  send 
him  to  Princeton. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  107 

and  has  often  seen  them  drunken  in  the  Street ! That 

the  Charter  of  the  College  is  vastly  Extensive,  and  the 
yearly  income  sufficient  to  support  a   University   being 

about  4.000  £  Sterling. That  the  Necessary  Expence 

of  each  Scholar  yearly  is  only  i^  £  Currency.  Two  of 
the  officers  of  the  Institution,  W.  Bracken,  &  W.  Henly' 
Clergymen  are  at  present  engaged  in  a  paper  War  pub- 
lished weekly  in  the  Williamsburg  Gazette's. 

Miss  Fanny  quite  unwell  of  a  Cold  with  a  pain  in 
her  Breast.  Evening  M"?  Carter  complain'd  of  a  sore 
throat;  and  Ben  also,  complains  that  his  Throat  is  quite 

troublesome M":    Randolph   too    is    confin'd    in  his 

Room  all  day  I  We  seem  to  be  all  sickning ! 

Sunday  ij. 

Things  look  better  this  morning  M':*  Carter,  &  Bc7i 
seem  relieved,  M":   Randolph,  &  Fanny  are  better.     The 

morning  very  blustry  with  wind  &  Snow None  go 

to  Church  from  here  to  day In  my    Room   I  read 

Pictetc. 

Monday  i^. 

M^  Randolph  this  Morning  happens  to  be  Miss 
Nancys  Valentine ;  &  Miss  Prissy  vi\\w&, The  morn- 
ing sharp  &  very  cold. 

Teusday  ij. 

I  have  a  call  this  morning  from  Boh  &  Harry  for  a 

•John  Bracken  was  from  1773  to  181S,  minister  of  Bruton  Church,  Will- 
iamsburg; was  made  master  of  the  grammar  school  at  the  college,  and  was  presi- 
dent for  two  years,  after  the  death  of  Bishop  James  Madison  in  1812.  Samuel 
Henley  was  professor  of  divinity  and  moral  philosophy  in  the  college,  was  a 
Tory  and  left  Virginia  in  1775.  In  England  he  wrote  numerous  pamphlets  on 
archaeological  subjects,  was  the  translator  of  Beckford's  Vathek,  and  from  1805 
to  1S15  was  principal  of  the  East  India  College  at  Hertford.  {^Am.  Hist.  Re- 
view V.  5,  No.  2,  303,  n.  I.) 


I08  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Holiday,  for  Shrove  Teusday;  I  shall  dismiss  them  at 
twelve  o-Clock.  I  gave  Miss  Carter  m}^  Verses  for  her 
Valentine',  Dined  with  us  M?  Ford.  I  finished  reading 
the  first,  &  began  the  Second  Volume  of  Pictete. 

Wednesday  16. 

I  happened  last  monday  to  offend  Prissy,  She  re- 
tains her  anger  &  seems  peculiarly   resentful ! Ben 

agreed  for  half  a  Bit  a  Week  to  play  the  Flute  every 
Night,  or  read  for  me,  twenty  Minutes  after  I  am  in 
Bed. 

Thursday  ij. 

Prissy  seems  much  affronted ;  The  cause  was  as 
follows  Monday  afternoon,  by  Chance  I  tapp'd  her  on 
the  Head,  &  wholly  in  Jest;  She  seem'd  vex'd,  but 
Teusday  morning  which  is  her  day  for  practice  on  the 
Forte-Piano,  after  Breakfast  I  desir'd  her  to  walk  over 
to  the  School,  she  refused,  &  gave  for  an  Excuse   that 

She    must    begin    to  play Both    these  things    laid 

together  were  the  cause  of  her  resentment. 

Fry  day  18. 

The  Weather  pleasant  and  moderate Bob,  Nancy, 

&  Prissy,  are  setting  off  this  morning  to  the  Dance, 
which  is  at  M^    Washingtons} 

Saturday  ig. 

at  Dinner  we  were  conversing  on  Reading,  among 
many   remarks   the   Colonel  observed   that.  He   would 

'This  valentine,  though  preserved  in  one  of  the  volumes  of  Fithian  MSS., 
is  too  lengthy,  pedantic,  and  uninteresting  for  publication. 

^Colonel  John  Augustine  Washington  of  Bushfield.     The   old  dwelling 
house  at  Bushfield  is  still  standing. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  IO9 

bet  a  Guinea  that  M?  Carter  reads  more  than  the 
Parson  of  the  parish !  No  panegyrick  on  the  Gen- 
tleman? 

M^  Christian  the  Dancing  Master  Came  home  with 
the  young  Ladies. 

Su7iday  20. 

Last  Evening  the  Virginia  News-papers  came ;  but 
nothing  from  the  Northward. 

Rode  to  Nomini  Church ;  Parson  Smith  read  Pray- 
ers, but  it  was  too  Cold  a  Day  to  give  us  a  Sermon; 
After  Service  M'.  &  Mk^  Carter,  the  Parson,  his  wife  & 
Sister;  M":  Canul  the  Comptroler  Ben,  Bob,  Miss  Pierce 
Miss  Sanford,  and  Myself  were  invited  to  Colonel  Wash- 
ingtons  '  to  Dinner.  His  House  has  the  most  agreeable 
Situation,  of  any  I  have  seen  in  Maryland  or  Virginia; 
the  broad  Potowmack,  which  they  account  between  7 
and  8  Miles  over,  washes  his  Garden  on  the  North,  the 
River  Nomini  is  within  a  stones  throw  on  the  West,  a 
levil  open  Country  on  the  East;  a  Lane ^  of  a  mile  & 
three  qviarters  accurately  measured,  lies  from  the  House 
South-East  it  has  from  the  House  the  whole  distance  a 
uniform  Descent,  &  at  the  Gate  at  the  End  of  this  Lane 
the  Situation  is  just  six  feet  lower  than  at   the   House 

There  are  no  Marshes  near,  which  altogether  make 

the  place  exceeding  Description.  The  Roads  are  now 
miry  &  disagreeable. 

^  John  Augustine  Washington. 

'  It  is  told  of  a  certain  gentleman,  a  stranger  in  the  land,  who  was  driving, 
one  misty  morning  in  the  olden  day,  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  master  of  Bush- 
field;  that  after  toiling  and  splashing  down  this  long  lane,  for  upwards  of  a 
quarter  of  an  hour,  the  road  being  awash  and  the  ditches  overflowing  with  the 
recent  spring  rains,  at  last  unable  to  stand  it  any  longer,  he  shouted  out  to  the 
postillion,  a  servant  of  Col.  Washington's  "  I  say,  fellow,  how  far  out  in  the 
river  does  your  unfortunate  master  live  ?  " 


no  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Monday  21. 

Prissy  seems  again   reconciled  — —  Miss   Stanhope 

the  Housekeeper  is  ill  of  a  Rheumatism They  are 

beginning  to  work  in  the  Garden  with  vigor,  Dined 
with  us  Docter  Franks. 

Teusday  22. 

M:  Carter  rode  to  the  County-Court.  I  read  to 
day  several  chapters  in  the  Greek  testament.  M^.  Car- 
ter has  given  orders  to  his  Hands  to  rigg,  &  fit  his 
Schooner  a  Vessel  of  about  40  Tons  for  Business.  Doc- 
ter Franks  with  us  yet.  M":^  Carter  was  taken  ill  last 
Evening  &  has  not  been  out  of  her  Chamber  to  Day. 
Miss  Stanhope  the  Housekeeper  is  also  confin'd  to  her 
Room  with  Rheumatic  Pains. 

Wednesday  2j. 

M=:   Carter  has  an  invitation  to  dine  at   Lee-Hall  to 

Day,  which  he  accepts before  Dinner  came  in  Miss 

Corbin,  &  Miss  Booth;  two  young  Ladies  pretty  well 
gone  in  what  we  call  the  Bloom  of  Life;  M^  Carter  was 
out,  M":^  Carter  is  ill,  &  Ben  was  not  Drest ;  Bob  &  I 
therefore  at  Dinner  must  be  Directors  of  the  ceremon- 
ies at  Table!    But  happily  for  me  I  have  them  at  last  all 

by   heart At   five  Bob  and   I  had  the  Pleasure  to 

walk  home  with  them,  (for  they  were  on  foot)  to  Assist 
them  in  Crossing  the  River  Nomini  which  lies  between 
us  &  M";  Turburville's.  Evening  Mr^  Carter  seems  no 
better Miss  Sally  came  out  of  her  Room. 

Tliursday  2^. 

Frogs  croaked  last  Evening.  This  morning  the 
Birds  of  several  kinds  are  singing;  and  some  presages 
of  Spring  seem  visible.     M"".^  Carter  continues  no  better. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  III 

A  messenger  is  sent  for  Doctor  /ones, ^  with  orders,  that 

if  he  is  from  Home  to  pursue  him. Mr   Gregory,  the 

Colonels  Gardiner  came  this  morning  &  began  with  M"; 
Carters  two  Fellows  who  have  been  in  the  Garden  all 

winter They  planted  this  day  the  common  Garden 

Peas. 

The  Colonel  at  Dinner  gave  Ben  &  I  a  Piece  of 
Music  to  prepare  on  our  Flutes,  in  which  he  is  to  per- 
form the  thorough   Bass Evening  M?  Carter  some 

better. 

Fryday  2j. 

M":^  Carter  better The  Day  pleasant There 

is  a  report  that  the  Jail-Fever,  or  Yellow  or  putrid 
Fever,  is  at  one  M":  Atwel's  on  potowmack,  in  this 
Country;  that  it  was  brought  in  a  Ship  which  came 
lately  with  convict  Servants ;  that  two  have  already 
died,  one  this  morning;  &  that  many  of  M^  Atwels 
Slaves  are  infected ! 

Doctor  Jones  spent  the  Evening  with  us ;  He  com- 
plimented Ben,  Bob,  &  myself  with  an  invitation  to  dine 
with  him  next  Sunday. 

Saturday  26. 

M":   Carter's  Merchant  Mill  begins  to  run  to-day 


She    is    calculated    to    manufacture    25,000    Bushels   of 

Wheat  a  Year I  walked  at  twelve  with  the  Colonel 

to  view  her;   it   is  amazing   to   consider  the  work  and 

Ingenuity He  told  me  his  Bill  for  the  material  and 

work  was  1450  £  ! 

Beti  to  day  Rode  to  M^  Fautleroys.  Evening  the 
Colonel  &  I  performed  the  Sonata.  I  had  the  Pleasure 
to  hear  the  Colonel  say  that  I  have  my  part  perfect. 

^  Dr.  Walter  Jones  of  Richmond  County.     See  page  70,  note  i. 


112  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Sunday  2y. 

I  rode  to  day  to  Richmond  Church,  Parson  Gibbern 
preached  about  20  Minutes  on  the  Text  "  he  that  walk- 

eth  uprightly  walketh  wisely  " this  seems  to   be  a 

polite  part   of  the  parish. After  Sermon  Ben  &  I 

rode  to  Vioct^x  Jones  s  ;  he  was  from  home.  M":^  Jones  a 
young,  Handsome,  polite  lady,  received  &  entertained 

us  exceeding  civilly. On  our  return  home,  we  called 

to  see  M^  Hamilton,  who  by  accident  was  thrown  from 
a  Horse,  &  received  a  sad  cut  in  his  Face!  he  lies  at 
M":   Lanes. 

Monday  28. 

M":^  Carter  yet  confined  to   her   Room,  but   much 

better Prissy  &  I  on  good  terms  once  more 

Breakfasted  with  us  M";  Taylor.  Ben  determines  to 
ask  his  Papa  to-morrow  for  Liberty  to  go  home  with 
me  in  April.  Evening  we  performed  the  Sonata  I  the 
first;  Ben  the  second;  &  Mi:  Carter  the  thorough  Bass 
on  the  Forte-Piano. 

Teusday  March  li'  i774- 

By  one  of  M":  Carters  Sailors  we  heard  this  morn- 
ing that  the  Fever  mentioned  some  Days  ago  con- 
tinues. Afternoon  M^  Lane  ^  a  young  Gentleman, 
formerly  my  acquaintance  at  Princeton  came  to  see 
me;   with  one  M^  Harison He  stays  all  night. 

Wednesday  2. 

I  gave  my  little  family  a  Holiday,  with  an  inten- 
tion to  ride  with  M^   Lane  after  Dinner We  walked 

to  the  Mill,  &  about  the  works,  but  before  twelve  it 
began  to  rain,  &  prevented  our  going  out M":'  Car- 

'  Joseph  F.  Lane  of  the  Class  of  1776,  at  Princeton  College. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  II3 

ter  came  out  of  her  chamber  &  dined  with  us,  &  seems 
to  be  well  over  Illness. 

Ml  Lane  lives  in  Louden  County  20  Miles  from 
Dumfries;  &  is  to  return  to  Princeton  towards  the 
close  of  this  month. 

TImrsday  j. 

Late  last  Evening  the  Packets  came  in :  In  the 
Pennsylvania  Gazette^  I  saw  that  Docter  Elmer ^  of  my 
acquaintance  in  Jersey ;  &  Docter  Jones  at  whose 
House  I  dined  Last  Sunday  are  created  members  of 
the  American  Philosophical  Society.* 

In  the  Virginia  Papers  there  is  an  account  of  an 
Earthquake  felt  on  monday  the  2  i  ult.  at  Williamsbtirg, 

Ridimond,  &  Fredericksburg After  Breakfast  ]\L  Lane 

left  us,  He  was  drest  in  black  superfine  broadcloth; 
Gold-laced  hat;  laced  Ruffles;  black  Silk  Stockings; 
&  to  his  Broach  on  his  Bosom  he  wore  a  Majors  Badge 
inscrib'd  ' '  Virtute  and  Silentio  "  cut  in  a  Golden  Medal ! 

Certainly  he  was  fine ! M":^  Carter  continues  better. 

Evening  we  performed  again  in  the  several  parts  our 

Sonata Ben  mentioned  to  his  Mama,  as  M^  Lane's 

coming  hindred  his  asking  his  Papa  for  his  Consent  to 

'  This  was  a  semi-weekly  newspaper,  established  at  Philadelphia  in  1728, 
by  Samuel  Keimer,  who  was  succeeded  by  Benjamin  Franklin  as  editor. 
Franklin  quickly  made  it  the  most  noted  and  valuable  paper  in  the  country, 
changing  it  to  a  weekly,  however.  He  retired  from  its  management  in  1776. 
In  1845  the  Gazette  was  merged  in  the  Daily  North  American,  which  is  still 
published. 

^  Dr.  Jonathan  Elmer  of  Cumberland  County,  New  Jersey,  was  graduated 
in  medicine  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1771  ;  was  a  medical 
inspector  of  the  army  during  the  Revolution,  and  in  1787,  president  of  the 
State  Medical  Society.  Elected  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  in  1789,  he  was  one  of 
those  who  voted  for  the  establishment  of  the  seat  of  government  on  the 
Potomac.     He  was  a  trustee  of  Princeton  College,  i782-'95. 

'The  American  Philosophical  Society  was  established  at  Philadelphia, 
in  1769. 


114  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

go  to  Philadelphia.  She  seems  to  be  not  unwilling. 
Expence  to  Day  for  Paper  a  Bitt,  or  yld. 

Fry  day  ^, 

I  gave  the  Hostler  directions  for  preparing  my 
Horse  for  the  approaching  expedition.  In  a  Ship 
arrived  last  week  in  Potowmack  M^  Carter  received 
half  a  Dozen  of  the  latest  Gent.  Magazines  with  several 
other  new  Books. 

This  day  I  wrote  two  Letters  to  be  forwarded  by 
M^  Lane,  one  to  a  young  Lady  in  Philadelphia  the 
other  to  my  Sister. 

No  news  of  beautiful  Latira  ;  perhaps  I  may  say  of 
her,  to  myself:    Quid  insanis,  Philippe,  tua  lura  Laura, 

Alium secuta  est!      Keep   her,   kind   Heaven, 

&  in  her  Friendship  make  me  happy !  After  School  at 
Evening,  on  account  of  some  difference  about  the  Key 
of  the  School-Room  Ben  gave  Harry  a  smart,  but  just 
correction;  I  kept  in  my  Room  that  I  might  be  wholly 
unconcerned  in  the  matter. 

There  came  in  about  eight  o-Clock  a  man  very 
drunk,  &  grew  exceeding  noisy  &  troublesome,  &  as 
the  Evening  was  cold  &  stormy,  M':  Carter  thought  it 
improper  to  send  him  away;  he  was  therefore  ordered 
into  the  Kitchen,  to  stay  the  Night:  Him  Bob  soon 
after  persuaded  to  the  School-house;  I  soon  heard 
from  my  Room  the  noise  &  guesed  immediatel}'  the 
Cause.  I  waited  however  'til  half  after  ten,  when  all 
seemed  silent;  I  then  took  a  candle  &  went  into  the 
School-Room,  And  before  the  Fire  Bob  had  brought  a 
matt,  &  Several  Blankets,  &  was  himself  in  a  sound 
sleep  covered  with  the  Blankets  on  the  same  Matt 
between  the  drunken  Man,  &  a  Negro  Fellow,  his 
Papa's  Postilion  !     I  mention  this  as  one  Example  among 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  I15 

a  thousand  to  shew  the  very  particular  Taste  of  this 
Boy ! 1  could  mention  another  which  would  illus- 
trate what  I  have  said  of  his  passion  for  Horses  when 
I  gave  a  Scetch  of  his  character.  Ben  has  a  very 
sightly  young  mare  which  he  has  in  keeping  for  our 
intended  Journey;  this  morning  Bob  agreed  to  give 
his  Brother  a  Pisterene,  &  a  rich  Tortoise-Shell 
Handled  Knife  bound  elegantly  with  Silver,  only  for 
Liberty  to  ride  this  Mare  every  day  to  Water,  until 
his  Brother  sets  away,  &  would  consent  to  be  limited 

as  to  the  Gait  he  should  use  in  Riding 

I  borrowed  the  late  Magazines  &  read  them  in  my 
Leisure.  I  am  daily  more  charmed  &  astonished  with 
M":^  Carter.  I  think  indeed  she  is  to  be  placed  in  the 
place  with  Ladies  of  the  first  Degree. 

Saturday  5. 

Ver}'  stormy  this  morning,  no  going  out;  I  spend 
the  day  very  agreeably  at  Home. 

M":  Carter  appointed  to  Ben,  &  I  another  Sonata  to 
practise.  He  wrote  for  Miss  Naney  also  "  Infancy  " 
to  get  by  Heart  &  sing  it  with  the  Guitar.  The  day 
continues  stormy;  Bob,  however,  has  ventured  out;  for 
neither  Heat,  nor  Cold,  nor  Storm  can  stay  him! 

We    dined    at   three The    Colonel    at    Dinner 

observed  that  many  of  the  most  just,  &  nervous  sen- 
timents are  contain'd  in  Songs  cS:  small  Sketches  of 
Poetry  ;  but  being  attended  with  Frippery  Folly  or  Inde- 
cency they  are  many  times  look'd  over.  I  am  remark- 
abl}-  pleased  with  the  Monument  erected  to  the  memory 
of  General  Wolfe  ^  in  the  universal  Magazine  for  Sep- 

'  General  Wolfe's  remains  were  carried  to  England,  where  the  monument 
above  referred  to  was  erected  to  his  memory  in  Westminster  Abbey.  There  is 
also  an  obelisk,  sixty  feet  in  height,  in  the  government  gardens  at  Quebec,  in 
his  honor  and  that  of  his  enemy,  Montcalm. 


Il6  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

tember  1773.  The  General  is  there  represented  in  an 
expiring  Posture,  supported  by  an  English  Soldier, 
who  seems  to  comfort  him  in  his  last  moments,  by 
directing  his  closing  Eyes  to  a  Figure  representing  Vic- 
tory, holding  in  one  hand  a  palm-Branch,  the  emblem 
of  peace ;  &  a  Crown  or  Wreath  of  immortality  in  the 
other,  which  she  offers  the  d3dng  commander;  while 
he  himself  seems  to  make  a  final  effort  to  express  his 
Sattisfaction  at  her  Appearance.  On  the  corners  of 
the  Base  are  two  Lions  couchant,  the  emblems  of  the 
british  Nation,  supporting  the  Sarcophagus  or  marble 
Urn,  &  intended  to  express  the  gratitude  of  "his  native 
country  for  his  eminent  Services.  On  the  first  pannel 
of  the  Base  is  an  elegant  alto  Relievo,  representing  the 
debarkation  of  the  Troops  at  the  Foot  of  the  Heights 
of  Abraham. 

The  Writer  says  that  the  Height  of  the  Monument 
from  the  Ground-Line  to  the  top  of  the  Tent,  is  nearly 
twenty-seven  feet;  that  the  figures  are  considerably 
larger  than  the  Life,  &  beautifully  executed. 

On  an  oval  Tablet  in  the  front  of  the  Urn  are 
inscribed  the  underwritten  Lines. 

To  the  Memor}' 

of 

James  Wolfe  Esqr 

Major-General,  &  Commander  in  Chief  of  the 

British  Land  Forces  on  an  Expedition  against 

Quebeck.     Who,    surmounting    by    ability    & 

valour  All  Obstacles  of  Art  &  Nature, 

Was  slain, 

In  the  moment  of  Victory, 

At  the  head 

of  his  conquering  Troops  on  the  13th 

of  September,  1759; 

The  King, 

and  the  Parliament  of  Great  Britain  Dedicate 

this  Monument. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  II7 

Honour  is  here  indeed  done  to  merit,  and  Valour 
is  justly  eternized! 

I  was  reading  in  the  Evening  to  Bob  in  the  Monthly 
Review  the  remarks  on  the  writings  of  Phillis  Wheatly^ 
of  Boston;  at  which  he  seem'd  in  astonishment;  some- 
times wanting  to  see  her,  then  to  know  if  she  knew 
grammer,  Latin,  &c.  at  last  he  expressed  himself  in  a 
manner  very  unusual  for  a  Boy  of  his  turn,  &  suddenly 

exclaimed.  Good  God!    I  wish  I  was  in  Heaven! 

The  Weather  is  so  stormy  I  chose  to  forego  my  Sup- 
per, rather  than  venture  into  the  dark,  &  Water.  In 
bed  a  little  after  ten  which  is  our  usual  time. 

Sunday  6. 

I   rose  at  eight The  morning  cold   &   stormy 

Ben  is  distressed  that  he  cannot  go  to  Church;    I 

cannot  say  but  I  enjoy  m3^self  with  great  Satisfaction 
tho'  I  stay  most  of  my  time  in  my  Chamber;  &  often 
have  to  withstand  the  solicitations  of  Gentlemen  to 
visit  them. 

Breakfasted  at  half  after  nine.  M":  Lane  the  other 
Day  informed  me  that  t\\e.  Anabaptists  in  Louden  County 
are  growing  very  numerous,  &  seem  to  be  increas- 
ing in  afluence;  and  as  he  thinks  quite  destroying 
pleasure  in   the   Country ;    for  they  encourage  ardent 

'Phillis  Wheatley,  a  negro  slave,  was  brought  to  America  in  1761,  and 
was  bought  from  the  slave-market  by  John  Wheatley  of  Boston.  Educated  by 
his  daughters,  she  soon  developed  remarkable  acquisitive  faculties,  and  in 
sixteen  months  she  could  read  English  fluently,  and  composed  many  lines  for 
her  friends.  In  October,  1775,  she  addressed  some  verses  and  a  letter  to 
General  Washington  (which  were  published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  for 
April,  1776),  to  which  he  courteously  replied.  She  died  at  Boston,  Dec.  5th, 
1784,  in  want  and  poverty.  Among  her  writings  are,  An  Elgiac  Poem  on  the 
death  of  Rev.  George  Whitejield  and  Poems  on  Various  Subjects,  Religious 
and  Moral,  by  Phillis  Wheatley,  negro  servant  to  Air.  John  Wheatley  of 
Boston. 


Il8  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Pray'r  ;  strong  &  constant  faith,  &  an  intire  Ban- 
ishment of  Gaming,  Dancing,  &  Sabbath-Day  Diver- 
sions. 

1  have  also  before  understood  that  they  are  numer- 
ous in  many  County's  in  this  Province,  &  are  Gener- 
ally   accounted    troublesome Parson    Gibbern    has 

preached  several  sermons  in  opposition  to  them,  in 
which  he  has  labour'd  to  convince  his  people  that  what 
they  say  are  only  whimsical  Fancies  or  at  most  Relig- 
ion  grown   to   Wildness   &    Enthusiasm ! There   is 

also  in  these  counties  one  M^  WoddeP,  a  presbiter- 
ian  Clergyman,  of  an  irreproachable  Character,  who 
preaches  to  the  people  under  Trees  in  summer,  &  in 
private  Houses  in  Winter.  Him,  however,  the  people 
in  general  dont  more  esteem  than  the  Anabaptist 
Preachers;  but  the  People  of  Fashion  in  general  coun- 
tenance, &  commend  him.  I  have  never  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  M^  IVoddel,  as  he  is  this  Winter  up  in 
the  Country,  but  M":  &  M":^  Carter  speak  well  of  him, 
M^  &  M?  Fantleroy  also,  and  all  who  I  have  ever  heard 
mention  his  Name.  Like  Bob  I  am  at  once  fiU'd  with 
pleasure  &  surprise,  when  I  see  the  remarks  of  the 
Reviewers  confirmed  as  to  the  Writings  of  that  ingen- 
ious African  PJiillis  WJieatly  of  Boston;  her  verses  seem 
to  discover  that  She  is  tolerably  well  acquainted  with 
Poetry,  Learning,  &  Religion. 

In  the  universal  Magazine  for  September  1773  are 
the  following  Lines  on  her  being  brought  from  Africa 
to  America  by  herself. 

'The  celebrated  Dr.  James  Waddell,  the  blind  preacher  of  Wirt's  British 
Spy,  was  settled  in  Lancaster  and  Northumberland  counties  from  1762  to  1788, 
but  during  the  latter  part  of  this  period  it  was  his  custom,  on  grounds  of 
health,  to  spend  a  part  of  the  year  in  upper  Virginia,  where  he  lived  constantly 
in  later  years.  See  Foote's  Sketches  in  Virginia,  I,  367-387.  {A7n.  Hist. 
Review,  V.  5,  No.  2,  303,  n.  2.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  II9 

"  Twas  mercy  brought  me  from  my  Pagan  Land, 
Taught  my  benighted  soul  to  understand 
That  there's  a  God  ;  and  there's  a  Saviour  too  ; 
Once  I   Redemption  neither  sought  nor  knew. 
Some  view  our  sable  Race  with  scornful  Eye, 

"Their  Colour  is  a  Diabolic  Dye." 
Remember,  christians,  Negroes,  black  as  Cain, 
May  be  refin'd,  and  join  the  Angelic  Train." 


The  people   Went    to   day  as   usual  into    the 


Woods  with  the  Cart  &  Oxen  for  Wood,  as  the  cold 
and  stormy  Weather  the  several  days  past  has  occa- 
sioned large,  &  steady  fires It  seems  however  to  be 

a  Breach  of  the  Law  of  the  Sabbath.  Ben  impatient  of 
staying  at  home  rode  out  about  Eleven,  when  the 
weather  is  more  moderate ;  Bob,  Harry  &  IVL  Randolph 
also  are  all  going  out;  I  seem  happy  when  intirely 
alone,  &  have  undisturbed  liberty  to  spend  in  Devotion 
God's  holy  Sabbath  of  Rest. 

Before   Night  it  grew  fair  when  on  a  Sudden  all 
are  out,  so  that  we  seem  like  a  Town ;   but  most  of  the 

Inhabitants  are  black We  dined  at  three,  no  com- 

pan}'.  Evening  Bob  returned  and  brought  Mr  Turbur- 
ville's  Compliments,  with  a  strong  invitation  for  me  to 

visit  him A  little  before  the  sun  went  down  I  took 

a  walk  down  the  Poplar  Avenue ;   which  must  certainly 

be  vastly  pleasant  in  Summer At  the  farthest  end 

of  this  walk  I  gathered  &  eat  some  Pisimmonds  from  a 
large  Tree  which  were  exceeding  sweet,  &  agreeable. 
Supped  at  nine.  At  Supper  the  Colonel  informed  me 
that  he  has  invented  this  Day  a  method  for  finding  the 
difference  of  the  value  of  money  in  this  Province  and  in 
Maryland.  We  do  not  spend  Sundays  thus  in  Jersey. 
In  Bed  by  ten.      Ben  at  home. 


120  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Monday  7. 

The  morning-  vastly  clear  &  cool 


The  Colonel  rode  to  Richmond  Court  at  twelve, 
with  M^  Randolph  I  walked  to  see  the  Negroes  make 
a  fence ;  they  drive  into  the  Ground  Chestnut  stakes 
about  two  feet  apart  in  a  straight  Row,  &  then  twist 
in  the   Boughs  of  Savin  ^  which  grows  in  great  plenty 

here Ben,  to  Day,  began  Virgils  Georgics  —  And 

Prissy  began  Division By  accident  to   day  in   the 

Garden   1   took  up   M":  Gregory  the  Gardiners  Spade, 

for  which  he  instantly  called  on  me  for  my  forfeit 

This  Gardiner  through  the    Summer  from    this   Time 

has  half  a  Crown^  daily  Wages Dined  at  half  after 

two. 

Teusday  8. 

I  rose  at  six  —  the  morning  fine.  Breakfasted  at 
nine.  At  twelve  I  walked,  to  the  mill  together  with 
M-:  &  M":^  Carter;  Miss  Prissy  &  Nancy,  to  see  them 
bake  Biscuit,  &  pack  flour;  ^  here  too  I  had  a  Forfeit 
for  kneeding  biscuit.  The  Colonel  shewed  me  and 
explained  the  Pan  of  his  Mill;  his  Canals;  Waste- 
gates;  Toll  Mill,  Merchant  Mill;  &c.  The  tide  flows 
quite  to  the  Mill  &  is  navigable  with  Canoes  and  Flats 

He  told  me  that  his  Wastgate  as  it  stands  alone 

cost  him  95i!^. And  nothing  less  than  5000^^'  Capi- 
tal can  continue  the  works  &  keep  them  supplied.  The 
Ovens    bake    100    lb.    of    Flour   at   a    Heating;     there 


^  The  English  crown  piece,  so  called  from  the  impress  of  the  royal  crown 
which  it  originally  bore,  was  of  the  value  of  five  shillings. 

'  The  flour  was  intended  largely  for  export,  while  the  bread,  or  ship- 
biscuit,  supplied  the  merchant  vessels  which  traded  regularly  between  English 
ports  and  Chesapeake  Bay  and  its  tributaries. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  12  1 

are   in  the    Bake-house  two  Ovens.      Dined  half  after 
two. 

The  Colonel  formed  last  Sunday,  and  is  yet  com- 
pleating  Tables  for  finding  the  difference  between  Vir- 
ginia, &  Maryland  Currency,  as  he  is  entering  largely 
into  Trade  he  finds  it  necessary  to  be  better  acquainted 
with  the  Exchange.  Ben  agreed  to  ask  his  Papa  at 
Supper  for  Leave  to  go  with  me  to  Philadelphia  but 
poor  Bo)^  his  resolution  fail'd  him ! 

Wednesday  g. 

Up    at    seven,     very    Windy Evening    I    rode 

with   Ben  to  M^  Lanes  to  see  young  Lane;    he  was  out 

however,  &  we  soon  returned M^  Warden   was  at 

M^  Lanes.     Evening  we  played  in  our  small  Concert  our 
old  Sonata;  &  besides  Felton's  Gavott ;  supped  at  nine. 

Thursday  lo. 

M"?  Carter  informed  me  last  Evening  that  this 
Family  one  year  with  another  consumes  27000  Lb. 
of  Pork;  &  twenty  Beeves.  550  Bushels  of  Wheat, 
besides  corn  —  4  Hogsheads  of  Rum,  &  150  Gallons 
of  Brandy. 

Breakfasted  with  us  M":  Warden,  at  twelve,  with 
jNL  Randolph,  I  went  a  fishing,  but  we  had  only  the 
luck  to  catch  one  a-piece.  Dined  with  us  M":  Cunning- 
ham, he  has  lately  had  a  severe  turn  of  Pleurisy I 

supped  with  M":  Randolph  on  Fish. 

Fry  day  11. 

The  finest  morning  we  have  yet  had  ;  the  Robbins, 
&  blue  Birds  singing  all  around  us. 

Prissy,  Nancy  &  Bob  go  this  day  to  the  Dance  which 
is   at    ^L    Turburville's It   comes   here    next I 


122  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

wrote  a  Letter  to  M*;  Rees  ^  at  Trenton At  twelve 

with  Ben  I  rode  to  M'i  Lanes  to  see  young  M^  Lane,  he 
happened  to  be  at  Home,  &  introduced  to  me  M^  Mid- 
dleton  an  old  facetious  but  profane  Gentleman.  We 
dined  with  M^  Lane.  When  called  on  for  my  Toast  I 
gave   Miss   Sally  Hollinshead,   of   Philadelphia.     Dined 

at  three 

I  heard  a  mocking  Bird  sing  this  Day.  Supped 
at  eight  &  in  Bed  early  for  I  am  much  fatigued  with 
riding. 

Saturday  12. 

I    rose    by    six Breakfasted    with    us    Captain 

Blackwel ;  master  of  a  Ship  lying  in  Ucomico 1  heard 

Harry,  Miss  Fanny,  &  Betsy  repeat  their  catechism 

At  ten  M":  Lane  called  on  us  to  go  on  Board  Captain 

Blackwels  Ship  to  Dine We  consented  and  setoff 

by  Eleven;  We  rode  to  a  place  called  Horn-Point, 
which  is  about  a  Mile  up  the  River  Ucomico,  &  in 
sight  of  the  wide  Potoivrnac ;  off  this  point  at  about  a 
Quarter  of  a  miles  Distance  lay  Captain  Griggs,  & 
Captain  Blackwels  Ships,  they  sent  immediately  a  Boat 
to  carry  us  on  board,  but  on  telling  us  that  neither  of 
the  Captains  were  at  Home,  we  chose  rather  to  turn 

Back The  distance  from  IsV.  Carters  to  this   Point, 

is  called  twelve  miles;  the  Land  seems  to  be  exceeding 
poor,  as  it  is  covered  for  most  of  the  way  with  Large 
Pines,  &  shrubby  Savins,  &  destitute  almost  entirely  of 

Cultivation From  Horn-Point  we  agreed  to  ride  to 

one  M^  Camels,  who  is  Controller  of  the  customs  &c 
here;  chiefly  to  see  a  Daughter  of  his  to  whom  we 
were  equally  strangers,  we  arrived  at  M":  Camels  about 

'  Oliver  Reese,  who  graduated  with  Fithian  from  Princeton  College,  class 
of   1772. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  123 

two  o-Clock,  &  were  severally  introduced  to  Miss  Pink- 
stone  Camel,  a  young  woman  of  about  sixteen,  neat, 
handsome,  genteel,  &  sociable;  &  in  my  opinion  she 
possesses  as  much  of  these  as  any  young  Lady  in  Vir- 
ginia whom  I  have  yet  seen It  has  been  M^  Camels 

misfortune,  in  the  course  of  trade,  to  be  reduced  to  low 
circumstances,  on  which  account  his  Family  does  not 
now   meet   with   so  great  respect,   as   I  am   told    they 

formerly  did 

From  Horn  Point  to  the  Comptrolers,  the  distance 
is  call'd  four  miles.  Before  Dinner  we  Borrowed  the 
Comptrolers  Barge,  which  is  an  overgrown  Canoe,  & 
diverted  ourselves  in  the  River  which  lies  full  fronting 
the  House ;  &  we  were  the  better  pleased  with  the 
Sport,  as  all  our   motions   were   in   the   sight  of  Miss 

Camel We   dined   at   half    after  three   on    Fish,    & 

wild  Duck— — -our  drink  Grogg,  &  Water.  From  the 
Comptrolers  at  5  o-Clock  we  set  out  Homewards;  we 
call'd  on  our  way  at  Captain  Middletons,  whom  I  take 
to  be  exceedingly  Profane  in  his  Language ;  we  were 
introduced  to  his  two  Daughters;  they  seemed  how- 
ever aukward  in  their  Behaviour,  &  dull,  &  saturnine 
in  their  Disposition The  Distance  from  the  Comp- 
trolers  to  Captain  Middletons  is  seven  Miles We 

left  there  at  eight  in  the  evening,  &  rode  to  M^  Joseph 
Lanes  Esq^  which  distance  is  called  five  miles,  &  arrived 

at  9  o-Clock here  we  had  an  excellent  Supper 

with   good   Porter   &  Madeira after   Supper,    when 

call'd  on  for  my  Toast,  I  gave  '^\.\'&%  Betsy  Beaty  of  New- 
ington,  Pennsylvania- — ■ — -At  half  after  ten  we  set  off  and 
rode  home;  Distance  three  miles,  Our  poor  Horses 
went  the  distances  which  I  have  laid  down  and  were 
not  fed  in  the  course  of  the  day ;  as  they  have  no 
taverns    in    these    parts Our    whole    Distance    31 


124  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Miles  Expence  to  the  Sailors  for  their  trouble  i/io. 
Exceedingly  fatigued  with  Riding. 

Sunday  ij. 

Soon  after  Breakfast  Captain  Scott  (master  of  a 
Schooner  laden  with  Wheat,  &  bound  from  Alexandria 
for  Philadelphia,  which  about  ten  days  past  in  a  gale  of 
wind  run  aground  and  is  like  to  lose  her  Cargo)  come 
to  hire  M^  Carters  Schooner  to  assist  in  unloading  her 
that  the  vessel  may  be  saved;  the  vessel  run  aground, 
&    now   lies   nearly   opposite   the   mouth   of    the   River 

Nomini  in  Potowmack! The  Colonel  is  engaged  in 

taking  off  a  Description  of  the  River  Ucomico ;  the 
Road  from  hence  to  Horn-Point:  &  Mondays- Point; 
with  the  houses  on  the  several  ways 

This  day   I   declined  going  to  Church,    chiefly  on 

account  of  my  Horse,  who  went  so  far  yesterday 

It  is  however  the  first  time  that  I  have  kept  myself  at 

home  in  good  weather Evening  M';  Carter  received 

a  Packet  of  Letters  from  Anapolis  by  the  Post,  but  none 

comes  to  me  this  long  Winter Bob  to-day  rode  to 

Richmond  Church,  and  in  the  Evening  brought  from 
Counsellor  Tayloc'^  a  strong  invitation  to  call  and  see 
him. 

Monday  i^. 

Bob  this  morning  begg'd  me  to  learn  him  lattin ; 
his  Reason  he  tells  me  is  that  yesterday  M^^  Taylor^ 
told  him  he  must  not  have  either  of  her  Daughters 
unless  he  learn'd  Latin  he  urged  me  so  strong  that  I 
put  him  some  Lessons  for  leisure  hours.     Rainy  most 

'  Colonel  John  Tayloe  of  Mt.  Airy  in  Richmond  County,  a  fellow  mem- 
ber with  Robert  Carter  in  the  governor's  council. 

■^  Rebecca  Plater  Tayloe,  daughter  of  Governor  George  Plater  of  Mary- 
land. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  12  5 

of  this  da}^  &  in  the  afternoon  from  the  West  arose  a 
black   cloud   which   was  attended   with   several   pretty 

hard   Claps  of  Thunder We  had    with  us  one  M^ 

Neal  a  good  Sort  of  self  sulificient  Gentleman. 

Teusday  15. 

This  morning,  as  Ben  &  Bob  were  agreeing  on  the 
price  of  a  Rudiman  Grammar,  which  Bob  wanted  to 
purchase  of  Ben  ;  after  some  time  when  Bob  would  not 
give  2/10.  Bens  great  demand  for  a  Book  almost 
worn  out,  which,  when  new,  may,  by  thousands  be  had 

in  Philadelphia  for  2/,   that   Currency He   threw 

his  Book  into  the  fire,  &  destroy'd  it  at  once! An 

Instance  of  two  ruling  Foibles  which  I  discover  in  Ben 
viz.  obstinacy,  &  avarice.  And  another  I  mentioned 
the  other  day,  of  his  agreeing,  for  half  a  Bit,  or  /i  ^d. 
a  week,  to  play  the  flute  for  a  limited  time,  every  night 
after  I  am  in  Bed ;  of  this  however  he  has  grown  tired, 
&  given   up   his   wages  on  account  of   the   Labour  or 

Confinement  of  the  Task And  I  should  be  deceived, 

if  a  very  little  money  would  not  excite  him  to  submit 

to  almost  any  menial  service Bob  however,  for  the 

present  is  frustrated  in  his  purpose  of  learning  Gram- 
mer,  &  it  seems  to  chagrin  him  as  much,  as  tho'  he 
actually  believed  in  what  M":^  Taylor  told  him  last  Sun- 
day, that  without  he  understands  Latin,  he  will  never 
be  able  to  win  a  young  Lady  of  Family  &  fashion  for 

his  Wife. At  the  Noon  play-Hours  ^£'(5  &  Nelson  the 

Boy  who  waits  on  the  School  had  a  fight,  I  know  not 
on  what  account;  it  was  Bobs  misfortune  in  the  course 
of  the  Battle  to  receive  a  blow  on  his  cheek  near  his 
Eye,  which  is  visible,  &  brought  the  intelligence  of  the 
Quarrel  to  me,  for  all  were  wholly  silent  till  I  made 
inquiry,  when  all  in  a  moment  seem'd  to  turn  and  try 


126  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to    convict    him In   the    Evening,   after    School,    I 

took  them  both  to  my  Room,  and  examined  them  of 
the  reason.  Place,  and  manner  of  their  fighting;  from 
themselves  it  seem'd  plain  that  they  fought  for  mere 
Diversion.  I  therefore  dismiss'd  Nelson,  &  kept  Bob 
til  near  Supper  &  then  gave  him  a  smart  correction 
&  dismiss'd  him. 

Wednesday  16. 

The    morning    cloudy   &    windy.       Breakfasted    at 

nine M^  Randolph   hurt   himself  by  a   Fall  from  a 

fence    to    day   badly Dined   at   half  after  two 

Towards  Evening  the  clouds  all  scattered,  the  wind 
fell,  &  left  the  air  pleasant:  The  Birds  also  seemed 
glad  and  merry The  whole  reminded  me  of  a  beau- 
tiful, &  memorable  passage  in  Milton  :  ^ 

"  If  Chance  the  Radiant  Sun  with  farewel-Sweet, 
Extend  his  Evening  Beam  the  fields  revive, 
The  Birds  their  notes  renew,  the  bleating  Herds 
Attest  their  joy  that  Hill  &  valley  rings." 

After  school,  I  had  the  honour  of  taking  a  walk 
with  M":^  Carter  through  the  Garden It  is  beauti- 
ful, &  I  think  uncommon  to  see  at  this  Season  peas  all 

up  two  &  three  Inches We  gathered  two  or  three 

Cowslips  in   full-Bloom;    &   as    many   violets The 

English    Honey-Suckle   is   all  out   in    green   &   tender 

Leaves M^   Gregory  is  grafting  some  figs M":^ 

Carter  shewed  me  her  Apricot-Grafts ;  Asparagus  Beds 
&;c.  Before  Supper  a  Black  cloud  appeared  in  the 
West,  at  which  M":^  Carter  discovered  much  concern 
as  She  is  uncommonly  afraid  both  of  wind  and  Thun- 
der. 

"^  Paradise  Lost,  Book  II,  1.  492-496. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  127 

Thursday  jy. 

This  morning  M^  Carter  put  Miss  Fanny  to  learn- 

ins:  the  Notes While  we  were  breakfastinsf  M"!  Stad- 

A'^  the  musician  came;  Miss /V-zV^j/ is  with  him;  Nancy 
learns  the  Guitar,  under  the  direction  of  her  Papa,  as 
M":  Stadley  does  not  understand  playing  on  the  Guitar 

Dined  with  us  a  young  Gentleman  M":  Fantleroy 

irom  Hobbcs-Holc He  seems  to  be  a  modest  sensi- 
ble,  genteel  young  Fellow I   had  the  pleasure  of 

taking  a  walk  in  the  Garden  at  five   with   M^  Stadley ; 

Bob  along He  is  a  man  of  Sense,  &  has  great  Skill 

in  music.  I  spent  the  Evening  in  the  Room  in  the 
midst  of  music. 

Fry  day  18. 

The  morning  damp  &  disagreeable M":  Stad- 
ley continues  to  Day   with   Miss  Prissy.      We  received 

this   morning  the    Williainsburg  Gazette's^ Several 

Addresses  appear,  and  poetical  Encomiums  on  the 
Countess  of  Dunmore  lately  arrived  there. 

M"!  Bracken,  &  M^  Henley,  are  still  contending  in 
furious  Combat,  but  poor  Henley  seems  to  be  on  the 
verge  of  a  Defeat. 

I  have  all  along  intended,  &  shall  now  attempt  to 
give  a  short  description  of  Nomini-Hall,  and  the  several 
Buildings,  &  improvements  adjoining  it;  as  well  for 
my  own  amusement,  as  also  to  be  able  with  certainty 
to  inform  others  of  a  Seat  as  magnificent  in  itself  and 
with  as  many  surrounding  Conveniences,  as  any  I  have 
ever  seen,  &  perhaps  equal  to  any  in  this  Colony. 

'There  were  two  Gazettes  published  in  Williamsburg  at  this  time  ;  one, 
established  by  William  Hunter,  publication  of  which  was  suspended  after  the 
Revolution  ;  the  other  was  begun  by  William  Rind,  in  1766,  publication  sus- 
pended, 1774.  It  is  probable  that  Councillor  Carter  subscribed  to  both  these 
papers. 


128  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

M^   Carter  now  possesses  60000  Acres  of  Land,  & 

about  600  Negroes But  his  Estate  is  mvich  divided,^ 

&  lies  in  almost  every  county  in  this  Colony  ;  He  has 
Lands  in  the   Neighbourhood   of    Williamsburg,  &   an 

elegant  &  Spacious  House  in  that  City He  owns  a 

great  part  of  the  well  known  Iron-Works  near  Balti- 
more in  Maryland^ And  he  has  one  or  more  con- 
siderable Farms  not  far  from  Anopolis. 

He  has  some  large  tracts  of  Land  far  to  the  West, 
at  a  place  call'd  "  Bull  Run",  &  the  "  Great  Meadows" 
among  the  mountains.  He  owns  land  near  Dumfries 
on    the    Potowmack ;     &    large    Tracts    in    this   &    the 

neighbouring  Counties. Out  of  these  Lands,  which 

are  situated  so  remote  from  each  other  in  various  parts 
of  these  two  large  Provinces,  Virginia,  &  Maryland, 
M^  Carter  has  chosen  for  the  place  of  his  habitation  a 
high  spot  of  Ground  in  Westmoreland  County  at  the 
Head  of  the  Navigation  of  the  River  Nomini,  where  he 
has  erected  a  large  Elegant  House,  at  a  vast  expence, 
which  commonly  goes  by  the  name  of  Nomini-Hall. 
This  House  is  built  with  Brick,  but  the  bricks  have 
been  covered  with  strong  lime  Mortar;  so  that  the 
building  is  now  perfectly  white;  It  is  seventy-six  Feet 
long  from  East  to  West ;  &  forty-four  wide  from  North 
to   South,    two   Stories   high ;    the    Pitch  of  the  lower 

story  seventeen  Feet,  &  the  upper  Story  twelve It 

has  five  Stacks  of  Chimneys,  tho'  two  of  these  serve 
only  for  ornaments. 

^The  Nomini  Hall  estate  is  said  to  have  comprised  some  2500  acres  and 
150  slaves.     See  Glenn's  Some  Colonial  Mansions,  V.  i,  pp.   276-279. 

^  Probably  those  established  at  Gwinn's  Falls  and  Jones's  Falls  by  the 
Baltimore  Company,  in  which  members  of  the  Tasker  family  (Mrs.  Carter's 
connections)  were  interested.  See  Bishop,  History  of  American  Manufac- 
tures, I,  586.     i^Am.  Hist.  Review,  V.  5,  No.  2,  304,  n.  i.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  129 

There    is    a    beautiful    Jutt,    on    the    South    side, 
eighteen   feet   long,  &   eight  Feet  deep  from  the  wall 

which   is   supported    by   three   tall   pillars On   the 

South  side,  or  front,  in  the  upper  story  are  four  Win- 
dows each  having  twenty-four  Lights  of  Glass.  In  the 
lower  story  are  two  Windows  each  having  forty-two 
Lights    of    Glass,    &   two   Doors    each    having   Sixteen 

Lights At  the  East  end  the  upper  story  has  three 

Windows  each  with  eighteen  Lights ;  &  below  two 
Windows  both  with  eighteen  Lights  &  a  Door  with 
nine 

The  North  side  I  think  is  the  most  beautiful  of  all; 
In  the  upper  Story  is  a  Row  of  seven  Windows  with 
eighteen  Lights  a  piece ;  and  below  six  windows,  with 
the  like  number  of  lights ;  besides  a  large  Portico  in 
the   middle,  at  the   sides  of  which  are  two   Windows 

each  with   eighteen  Lights. At  the   West  end  are 

no  Windows The  Number  of  Lights  in  all  is  five 

hundred,  &  forty  nine There  are  four  Rooms  on  a 

Floor,  disposed  of  in  the  following  manner.  Below  is 
a  dining  Room  where  we  usually  sit ;  the  second  is  a 
dining-Room  for  the  Children ;  the  third  is  M":  Carters 
study;   &  the  fourth  is  a  Ball-Room  thirty  Feet  long 

Above  stairs,  one  Room  is  for  M":  &  M^*  Carter; 

the  second  for  the  young  Ladies ;  &  the  other  two  for 
occasional  Company.  As  this  House  is  large,  &  stands 
on  a  high  piece  of  Land  it  may  be  seen  a  consider- 
able distance ;    I    have   seen   it   at   the   Distance   of  six 

Miles 

At  equal  Distances  from  each  corner  of  this  Build- 
ing stand  four  other  considerable  Houses,  which  I 
shall  next  a  little  describe.  First,  at  the  North  East 
corner,  &  at  100  yards  Distance  stands  the  School 
House ; 


I30  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

At  the  North-West  Corner,  &  at  the  same  Dis- 
tance stands  the  stable;  At  the  South-West  Corner,  & 
at  the  same  Distance,  stands  the  Coach-House;  And 
lastly,  at  the  South-East  corner,  &  at  an  equal  distance 
stands  the  Work-House.  These  four  Houses  are  the 
corner  of  a  Square  of  which   the  Great-House  is  the 

Center First   the   School-House  is  forty   five  feet 

long-,  from  East  to  West,  &  twenty-seven  from  North 
to  South  ;  It  has  five  well-finished,  convenient  Rooms, 
three  below  stairs,  &  two  above;  It  is  built  with  Brick 
a  Story  and  a  half  high  with  Dormant  Windows ;  In 
each  Room  is  a  fire ;  In  the  large  Room  below-Stairs 
we  keep  our  School;  the  other  two  Rooms  below  which 
are  smaller  are  allowed  to  M^  Randolph  the  Clerk ;  The 
Room  above  the  School-Room  Ben  and  I  live  in ;  & 
the  other  Room  above  Stairs  belongs  to  Harry  &  Bob. 
Five  of  us  live  in  this  House  with  great  Neatness,  & 
convenience;   each  one  has  a  Bed  to  himself 

And  we  are  call'd  by  the  Bell  to  the  Great-House 

to  Breakfast  &c The  Wash-House  is  built  in   the 

same  form,  &  is  of  the  same  Size  of  the  School-House 

From  the  front  yard  of  the  Great  House,  to  the 

Wash-House  is  a  curious  Terrace,  covered  finely  with 
Green  turf,  &  about  five  foot  high  with  a  slope  of  eight 
feet,  which  appears  exceeding  well  to  persons  coming 

to  the  front  of  the  House This  Terrace  is  produced 

along  the  Front  of  the  House,  and  ends  b}'  the  Kitchen; 
but  before  the  Front-Doors  is  a  broad  flight  of  steps  of 
the  same  Height,  &  slope  of  the  Terrace. 

The  Stable  &  coach-House  are  of  the  same  Length 
&  Breadth  as  the  School-and  Wash-House,  only  they 
are  higher  pitched  to  be  convenient  for  holding  Hay  & 
Fodder. 

Due   East  of  the   Great   House  are  two  Rows  of 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  131 

tall,  flourishing,  beautiful.  Poplars,*  beginning  on  a 
Line  drawn  from  the  School  to  the  Wash-House;  these 
Rows  are  something  wider  than  the  House,  &  are  about 
300  yards  Long,  at  the  Eastermost  end  of  which  is  the 
great  Road  leading  through  Westmorland  to  Rich- 
mond. These  Rows  of  Poplars  form  an  extremely 
pleasant  avenue,  &  at  the  Road,  through  them,  the 
House  appears  most  romantic,  at  the  same  time  that  it 

does  truly  elegant The  Area  of  the  Triangle  made 

by  the  Wash-House,  Stable,  &  School-House  is  per- 
fectly levil,  &  designed  for  a  bowling-Green,  laid  out 
in  rectangular  Walks  which  are  paved  with   Brick,  & 

covered    over    with    burnt    Oyster-Shells In    the 

other  Triangle,  made  by  the  Wash-House,  Stable,  & 
Coach-House  is  the  Kitchen,  a  well-built  House,  as 
large  as  the  School-House;  Bake-House;  Dairy  ;  Store- 
House  &  several  other  small  Houses;  all  which  stand 
due  West,  &  at  a  small  distance  from  the  great  House, 
&  form  a  little  handsome  Street.  These  Buildings 
stand  about  a  quarter  of  a  Mile  from  a  Fork  of  the 
River  Nomini,  one  Branch  of  which  runs  on  the  East 
of  us,  on  which  are  two  Mills;  one  of  them  belongs 
to   M^  Turburville   the  other   to   M^  Washington,   both 

within  a  mile another  branch  of  the  River  runs  on 

the  West  of  us,  on  which  and  at  a  small  distance  above 
the  House  stands  M^  Carters  Merchant  Mill,  which  I 
have  in  other  places  described ;  to  go  to  the  mill  from 
the  House  we  descend  I  imagine  about  an  100  Feet; 
the  Dam  is  so  broad  that  two  carriages  may  pass  con- 
veniently on  it;  &  the  Pond  from  twelve  to  Eighteen 
Foot  water at  the  fork   M";  Carter  has  a  Granary, 

*  These  beautiful  old  trees  are  still  the  admiration  of  all  who  see  them  ; 
though  the  house  and  buildings  have  passed  away  these  many  years,  this  stately 
avenue  survives  with  hardly  a  tree  missing.     See  frontispiece. 


132  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

where  he  lands  his  Wheat  for  the  mill,  Iron  from  the 

Works  &c 

In  the  Evening-  M^  Carter  sent  for  Ben  &  I  to  play 
over  the  Sonata  which  we  have  lately  learn'd ;  we  per- 
formed it,  &  had  not  only  M":  Stadleys  Approbation, 
but  his  praise;  he  did  me  the  honour  to  say  that  "  I 
play  a  good  Flute."  He  took  a  Flute  also  and  play'd ; 
which  put  me  in   mind,  at  once,  of  the  speech  of  the 

Shepherd    in     virgil. Non    tu    in    Triviis,    indocte, 

solebas  Stridenti  miserum  Stipula  disperdere  lammen,^ 
For  when  compared  to  him,  the  best  that  Ben  or  I  can 

do,  is  like  Crows  among  Nightingales We  play'd 

till  ten,  and  separated,  I  gave  to  Miss  Harriot,  for  say- 
ing a  good  lesson,  half  a  Bit 

Saturday  ig. 

The    morning    still    wet    &    disagreeable Last 

night  I  dreamed  much  of  the  Girl,  which,  I  most  of 
all  others,  esteem,  &  admire;    of  Laura;    But  oh!     I 

dreamed    she    was    treacherous! If   it    be    true,    I 

must  suppress  the  Greatness  of  my  Disappointment  by 
reflecting  that  I  had  not  well  enough  considered  this 

Sentiment  of   the  poet,   That, Varium  et   mutabile 

semper  Foemina 1  discover  weakness   when   I   am 

writing  in  this  manner;  but  Anxiety,  and  mighty-Love 
carry  me  over  the  bounds  which  I  set  for  the  regula- 
tion   of    my   conduct Dreams   indeed    are    vain    & 

false ;    But  perhaps  Laura  may  think  that  Lovers  vows 

are  vain  and  trififling  as  they! 1  spend  the  day  in 

my  Room  looking  over  the  Catalogue  of  the  Reviewers 

for  August,  September,  October  &  November  1773 

Ben,   &  Bob,   &   Harry,   out  tho   the  Day  is  bad 

M^  Stadley  is  yet  busy  with  the  young  Ladies 

^  Bucolica,  Eel.  III.      "  Lammen  "  for  carmen. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  133 

Sunday  20. 

The  weather  still  cloudy,  damp,  and  disagreeable, 
but  it  is  perfectly  calm ;  people  here  attribute  this  so 
long  dullness  to  the  Sun  crossing  the  Line  which  is  to 

happen  to-morrow After  Breakfast  M^  Stadley  left 

us,     The  day  is  so  bad  none  of  us  go  to  Church 

Before  Dinner  I  received  from  M^  Lane,  by  his  Ser- 
vant a  Note,  informing  me  that  he  is  to  set  out  to- 
morrow for  home In  return,  by  the  Same  bearer, 

I  wrote  him  my  Compliments  in  a  letter;  desiring  him 
to  remember  me  to  my  Acquaintances  in  Pennsylvania, 
&  New  Jersey,  as  he  will  probably  soon   see  many  of 

them 1    spent    much    of    this    Day    in    M^   Carters 

Library  among  the  works  of  mighty-Men ;  1  turned 
over   Calincts,   Scripture   prints,   they   are   beautiful,   & 

vastly  entertaining At   Dinner  by  some   means,   I 

know  not  how  a  conversation  was  introduced  concern- 
ing the  Souls  of  Women ;  M?  Carter  observed,  that  She 

has  heard  they  have  no  Souls Says  Miss  Priscilla 

in  a  moment  if  I  thought  so  I  would  not  have  spent  all 
this  morning  in  Reading;  nor  would  Women,  (Said  the 
well  discerning  Miss)  be  careful  to  avoid  any  Shameful, 

or  Sinful  Action It  is  not  unlikely  but   these  are 

the  private  Sentiments  of  many  among  the  Fair;  &  no 
doubt  they  would  be  generally  and  publickly  practised 
if  it  should  be  universally  admitted  that  the  Soul  of  a 
Woman  is  not  to  exist  after  the  present  Life. 

Monday  21. 

This  day   the  days  and  nights  are  equal The 

Sun   enters  Aries Aries    Die   Somniq:    pares   Jam 

fecerit  Horas,  Et  medium  Luci  atq :  Umbris  jam  dividet 
Orbem.     Virgil,  Georgic  i. 

At  Breakfast  M^  Carter  asked  me  who  is  foremost 


134  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

in  Arithmetic;  whether  Bob,  or  Prissy?  At  which 
Mr  Carter  observed,  that  him  of  his  Sons  whom  he 
finds  most  capable  of  doing  Business  when  he  leaves 
the  World,  &  his  Estate,  shall  have  the  management  of 
the  whole,  and  support  the  Rest.  It  seemed  to  me  to 
be  not  an  ill-chosen  Incentive  to  Diligence  among  the 

Boys 

This  morning  still  cloudy,  the  wind  at  South 


about  ten  a  black-gloomy  cloud  appeared  in  the  west; 

it  came  over  like  Virgils 

Omnia  Ventorum  concurrere  proelia The  wind 

changed   with   the   cloud   to    the   westward Dined 

with  us  M-:  Washington  &  M":  Philip  Smith,  Brother  to 
the   Parson   of    this   parish,   to   whom    I   was   formally 

introduced Toasts  as  usual Towards  Evening 

it  grows  more  pleasant  &  after  School,  I  had  the  pleas- 
ure  of  a   walk  in   the  Garden   with   M":^  Carter,    Miss 

Stanhope,   &   Miss  Harriot The  peas  have  grown 

admirably  since  my  last  Walk;   &  indeed  all  the  Herbs 

seem    sprouting Harry    this    Day    finished    vulgar 

Fractions,  &  began  Practice.  Expence  to  day  as  Pin- 
Money  a  Bit  or  /jY". 

Teusday  22. 

Once    more    the    weather   fine Last   night   by 

some  accident,  the  Main  Spring  of  my  Watch  either 
unhook'd  or  broke,  for  when  I  thought  she  had  run 
down,  and  trying  to  wind  her,  I  found  the  Chain  made 
no  Resistance.  As  there  is  no  oppertunity  here  of 
having  her   refitted,    I   seem   in   considerable  difficulty 

In  Spite  of  all  my  strongest  opposing  efforts,  my 

thoughts  dwell  on  that  Vixen  Laura.  I  strive  to  refuse 
them  admission,  or  harbour  them  in  my  heart,  yet  like 
hidden  fire  they  introduce  themselves,  &  seize,  &  over 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  135 

come  me  when  perhaps  I  am  pursuing  some  amuseing 
or  useful  Study ;    or  giving  precepts  &  Directions  to 

my  little  fair  Seminary At  ten  M^  Lane  &  M^  John 

Simpson  call'd  to  see  us At  twelve  we  had  a  pleas- 
ant walk  in  the  Garden M^  Carter,  &   M^  Carter 

along M":  Lane  informs  that  he  has  by  particular 

Request,  in  the  absence  of  the  Parson,  Read  the  funeral 
Service  twice  since  he  has  been  in  the  county,  which  is 

only  a  few  Weeks He  sets  off  for  home  soon;  M^ 

Carter  says  he  is  in  Love,  &  I  think  it  is  with  Miss 
Camel.  I  was  introduced  to  M":  Simpson :  He  talks 
much ;    &  often  mentions  his  having  been  to   England 

They  Dined  with  us;   Toasts  as  usual.     Evening  I 

have  the  Tooth  Ach. 

Wednesday  2j. 

I  was  almost  wholly  deprived  of  Sleep  last  night 
with  a  pain  in  my  Jaw  and  Teeth ;    which  continues  this 

morning  so  bad  I  scarce  know  what,  or  how  to  do 

Frail,  &  weak  nature ;  how  we  are  forever  teas'd,  & 
vexed   with  Anxiety   in  our  minds,   or  Pains  &  other 

distresses  in   our   Bodies! We  dined  at  half  after 

two It  is  now  seven  in  the   Evening  &  I  am  about 

entering  into  bed,  as  the  pain  has  entirely  left  me,  that 
I  may  satisfy  my  Body  for  last  nights  loss  of  my  usual 
rest,  I  leave  Ben  by  the  Fire,  poring  over  a  History  of 
England,  nodding  Sometimes,  however,  &  impatient  of 
the  distance  of  nine  o-Clock. 

Thursday  2^. 

At  Breakfast  Mr  Carter  entertained  us  with  an 
account  of  what  he  himself  saw  the  other  Day,  which 
is  a  strong  Representation  of  the  cruelty  &  distress 
which  many  among  the  Negroes  suffer  in  Virginia! 


136  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

M^  Carter  dined  at  Squire  Lees  some  few  Weeks 
ago;   at  the  same  place,  that  day,  dined  also  Mr  George 

Turburville^  &  his  Wife As  M^  Carter  rode  up  he 

observed   M^  Turburville's   Coach-Man   sitting  on   the 

Chariot-Box,  the  Horses  off After  he  had  made  his 

compliments  in  the  House,  he  had  occasion  soon  after 
to  go  to  the  Door,  when  he  saw  the  Coachman  still 
sitting,  &  on  examination  found  that  he  was  there  fast 
chained !  The  Fellow  is  inclined  to  run  away,  &  this 
is  the  method  which  This  Tyrant  makes  use  of  to  keep 
him  when  abroad ;  &  So  soon  as  he  goes  home  he  is 
delivered  into  the  pityless  Hands  of  a  blood}'  Overseer! 

In   the   Language   of  a  Heathen   I  query  whether 

cunning  old  Charo7i  will  not  refuse  to  transport  this 
imperious,  haughty  Virginian  Lord  When  he  shall  hap- 
pen to  die  over  the  Styx  to  the  Elysian  Gardens ;  lest 
his  Lordship  in  the  passage  should  take  affront  at  the 
treatment,  &  attempt  to  chain  him  also  to  the  Stygean 
Galley  for  Life  ! 

Or,  In  the  language  of  a  Christian,  I  query  whether 
he  may  be  admitted  into  the  peaceful  Kingdom  of 
Heaven,  where  meekness,  Holiness,  &  Brotherly-Love, 
are  distinguishing  Characteristicks! 

Tho  the  Pain  in  my  Teeth  has  entirely  left  me,  I 
am  not  therefore  free  from  distress;  for  to  day  I  am 
attacked  with  a  pain  in  my  Head,  &  Fever;  which  hin- 
ders me  from  Walking  out  at  twelve  as  is  my  Custom! 

Fry  day  2^. 

I  rose  by  seven &  through  Gods  mercy  I  feel 

myself  much  relieved  of  yesterdays  complaints The 

'  George  Richard  Turberville,  son  of  George  Turberville  of  Hickory  Hill 
and  Martha  Lee,  his  third  wife  ;  married  in  1769,  Martha,  only  child  of  Gawin 
Corbin  of  Peckatone,  Westmoreland  County,  where  he  resided  at  this  time. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  137 

weather  cloudy,  cold,  rainy  at  times,  &  unpleasant 

Evening  Ben  took  courage  and  asked  his  Papa  for  his 
consent   to   allow  him   to  go  with   me   to  Philadelphia 

The  Colonel  very  kindly,  &  at  the  same  time  very 

Politely  consented For  he  would  not  agree  till  he 

knew  of  me  whether  it  was  agreeable  to  me,  and  at  my 
Request  that  he  is  to  go. 

Saturday  26. 

Ben  &  Bob  are  soon  after  Breakfast  on  Horseback; 
Breakfasted   with   us  one   Lee,    a   Gentleman  of    what 

they  call  here  the  back  Woods He  seems  indeed  a 

little  stiff  in  his  manner;   but  he  has  had  a  long  Ride 

1    spend    the    Day   close    in    my    Room,    Reading 

Writing  &c. 

Stinday  2j . 

An  odd   Jumble  of  affairs  happened  this  morning 

Bob  drest  himself  &  came  into  our  Room  &  in  his 

usual  way  began  to  be  pretty  free  in  telling  us  Nezus'^ . .  . 

Before  Bob  had  done,  the  Bell  rung  for  Breakfast 

&  we  parted All  went  to  Church  to-day  but   Miss 

Nancy,  Harry,  &  Myself I  spend  the  day  agreeabl}^ 

in   M^  Carters  Library Evening  when  the  Colonel 

returned,  (for  he  dined  at  Squire  Lee's)  he  informed 
me  of  an  affair  which  happened  yesterday  in  this  Coun- 
ty, One  Smith,  a  Man  of  a  Middle  age  who  lives  with 
his  aged  Father,  &  his  Father  too  is  old  &   declining 

fast  with  disease This  youth  has  lately  made  a  will 

for  his  Father  which  he  yesterday  compell'd  him  to 
sign  ;  and  after  the  Good  old  Man  had  obliged  him,  he 
beat  and  abused  him  (tho  his  father)  in  desperate  man- 
ner it  is  thought  with  a  design  to  destroy'  him !      Soon 

^  Here  occur  some  bits  of  boy  gossip. 


138  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

after  this  he  discharged  a  musket  at  his  own  Brother 
who  was  at  some  distance  from  him  &  lodged  in  his 
body  eighteen  large  Shott ! Docters  were  immed- 
iately call'd &  officers  directed  to  take  the  villian 

but  he,  with  his  Wife  have  hid  themselves  in  a  Thicket 

&  have  as  yet  evaded  the  search  of  the  Sheriff 

Sup'd    with    us   one    M^  Mathews    a   Steward    for 
M^  Carter  in  Louden. 

{Monday  28.) 

Breakfasted  with  us  M^  Mathews ;   he  seems  to  be 

a  man  of  great  Gravity,  says  little,  &  Sighs  often 

The  day  is  warm  &  vastly  mild ;    it  is  the  first  Day  we 

have   in  all  our  rooms  been  without  any  Fire At 

twelve  I  rode  to  M";  Taylors  two  miles;  he  was  out,  1 
sat  half  an  hour  with  Miss  Taylor  &  returned  to  Din- 
ner, the  Ride  exceeding  pleasant,  and  my  Horse  seems 
(as  jockeys  say)  in  good  Flesh  &  well  prepar'd  for  our 

approaching  &  much  wished  for  Journey Evening 

M^  Simpson  came  in,  sup'd  &  stays  the  Night.  He  has 
last  Week,  been  distilling  M^  Carters  Liquor   made  of 

Pisimonds it  is  soft,   mild,  of  a  fair  pure  Colour, 

burns  clear,  but  does  not  answer  the  Colonels  Expect- 
ations; so  that  he  does  not  propose  to  recommend  it  to 
his  Neighbours  in  this  or  the  Neighbouring  Counties 
as  a  useful  experiment.  When  call'd  on  for  my  Toast, 
at  Supper  I  gave  Miss  Jenny  Corbin ;  M?  Carter  gave 
Captain  Lee ;  &  M":  Simpson  gave  Miss  Jones. 

Teusday  2g. 

To  warm  to  day  for  fire,  but   we  have  the   wind 

very  strong  from  the  West M":  Carter  rode  to  Court 

Soon    after    Breakfast    I    receiv'd    a    Letter    from 

M\  Andrew  Bryan  of  Baltimore,   Maryland  formerly  at 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  139 

College  my  Class-Mate the  Letter  bears  Date  Jan- 
uary 21^' 1774  Dated  Tii  Baltimore.  He  informs  me  of 
his  good  Health,  &  that  he  shall  soon  forward  my  Let- 
ters inclosed  to  him ;  perhaps  kind  oppertunity  shall 
have  before  this  hour  favoured  my  wish,  &  brought  to 

Laura  advices  of  my  State At  twelve  I  rode  out, 

with  Ben,  an  hour  &  better;  the  day  vastly  windy. 
About  four  Colonel  Philip  Lee's  Chariot  arrived,  in 
which  came  four  young  Misses  to  be  ready  for  the  Dance 

which  happens  here  to-morrow 1  am  informed  this 

Evening  that  Smith  the  Villian  mentioned  last  Sunday 
was  to  day  apprehended,  &  committed  to  the  prison  in 
this  County. 

Wednesday  jo. 

Rainy   &  cold The  Colonel  informed  me  this 

morning  that  the  general  Opinion  of  the  Gentlemen  at 
Court  yesterday  seem'd  to  be  that  the  Country  would 
be  free'd  of  three  Villians  if  the  old  abused  Father,  the 
wounded  Son  &  Brother,  &  the  offending  guilty  Son 

were  to  be  all  hanged The  Day  so  bad  Mr  Christian 

does    not    attend M''.^  Washington'^    came    however, 

with  Miss  Jenny  her  Daughter;  the  two  Fantleroys 
came  also;   &  Miss  Corbin,  &  Miss  Turburville,  &  one 

Miss  Hale  a  new  Scholar M":  Carters  Man  play'd  & 

the  Dance  goes  on  with  great  Spirit  &  neatness. 

Evening  there  is  as  common  a  good  play.  Sepa- 
rated all  for  Bed  by  half  after  nine. 

Thursday  ji . 

All  our  company  continue.     The   morning   fair  & 

cool Yesterday  &  to-day  I  am  strongly  solicited  to 

dance I  decline  however  &  must  persevere. 

^  Mrs.    John  Augustine    Washington   of    "  Bushfield,"  in  Westmoreland 
County  :  was  Hannah,  daughter  of  Col.  John  Bushrod. 


I40                          PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN                        [1774 
M^  &  M"?  Turburville   came  in  before  Dinner 


With  the  two  Fantlero3's,  Ben,  Bob,  &  Harry,  I  had  a 
pleasant  walk  through   the  Fields,   to  the  Mill  &c.     I 

paid  my  forfeit  to  the  Baker  /"jh The  Plumb-Trees 

are  beginning   to   blossom Towards    Evening  our 

company  all  left  us. 

Fr  yda  y  April  1st  1774. 

Good    Fryday A    general    Holiday    here 


Wednesday  &  thursday  I  gave  up  my  School  on 
account  of  the  Dance,  &  they  must  have  this  Day  for 
Devotion!— — The   Colonel,  Ben  Harry,   &   myself  all 

go    to    Ucomico    Church Parson   Smith    gave    the 

usual  Prayers  for  the  Day  and  a  long  Sermon  very 
suitable  and  well  chosen. 

After  Service  we  were  invited  and  went  Home 
with  Captain  Walker  to  dine ;  I  was  here  introduced 
to  D^  Steptoe  &  a  young  Gentleman  Brother  to  the 
Parson  Both  seem  agreeable,  &  appear  to  be  men  of 
Sense.  Dined  here  also  the  Parson,  his  Wife,  Sister, 
M":  Warder  the  Lawyer. 

Towards  Evening  we  rode  home.  I  observed  as  I 
rode  along  People  are  universally  plowing  up  their 
Land  for  planting  Corn  &  for  Tobacco.  And  in  one 
field   I   saw   several   Women   planting   Corn.      I    think 

however,  it  is  early  even  here They  raise  no  Flax, 

their  Land  in  general  being  so  poor  that  it  will  not 
produce  it And  their  method  of  farming  is  slov- 
enly, without  any  regard  to  continue  their  Land  in 
heart,  for  future  Crops They  plant  large  Quanti- 
ties of  Land,  without  any  Manure,  &  work  it  very  hard 
to  make  the  best  of  the  Crop,  and  when  the  Crop 
comes  off  they  take  away  the  Fences  to  inclose  another 
Piece  of  Land  for  the  next  years  tillage,  and  leave  this 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND    LETTERS  I41 

a  common  to  be  destroyed  by  Winter  &  Beasts  till  they 

stand  in  need  of  it  again  to  plough The  Land  most 

commonly  too  is  of  a  light  sandy  soil,  &  produces  in 
very  great  quantities  shrubby  Savins  &  Pines,  unless  in 
the  Vallies,  (for  it  is  very  hilly)  &  near  the  Potowmack 

where  it  is  often  vastly  rich M^  Carter  has   been 

lately  solicited  &  was  to  have  gone  this  Day  with  a 
number  of  Gentlemen  to  Horn-Point  on  the  River 
Ucomico,  with  an  intention,  if  they  think  the  Situation 
will  be  proper,  to  establish  Ware-Houses,  &  form  a 
small  Town It  is  however,  in  my  opinion,  a  fruit- 
less Scheme 

Sunday  j. 

The  Day  pleasant;    I  rode  to  church after  the 

Service  proper  for  the  Day,  M":  Smith  entertained  us 
with  a  Sermon  from  Pauls  Defence  before  King  Agrippa 
"  How  is  it  thought  a  thing  impossible  with  you  that 
God  should  raise  the  dead."  He  in  this  gave  us  a  very 
plain  &  Just  Discourse  on  the  doctrine  of  the  resur- 
rection  This  being    Easter-Sunday,  all  the  Parish 

seem'd  to  meet  together  High,  Low,  black,  White  all 
come  out After  Sermon  the  Sacrament  was  admin- 
istered, but  none  are  admited  except  communicants  to 

see  how  the  matter  is  conducted After  Sermon  1 

rode  to  M":  Turburville's^  (for  I  found  to  day  the  true 
spelling  of  his  name)  There  dined  with  him,  Ladies 
M?  Carter,  &  M":*  George  Tnrburville :  Gentlemen,  Col- 
onel Carter,  Squire-Z^^,  M^.  Cunningham,  &  M":  Jennings, 
Merchants ;    ISP  George  Lee,  &  Ben  Carter  &  Myself 

'  The  correct  spelling  is  Turberville,  from  the  French,  Tour  de  Ville. 
The  Virginia  Turbervilles  are  said  to  be  descended  from  the  English  Family  of 
Bere  Regis,  Dorset.  The  progenitor  of  this  family  is  supposed  to  have  been  a 
Sir  Payne  Turberville  (or  Tour  de  Ville)  who  accompanied  the  Conqueror, 
and  whose  name  appears  on  the  "  Battle- Abbey  Roll ".     Their  crest  is  a  tower. 


142  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

We  had  an  elegant  dinner;   Beef  &  Greens;   roast-Pig; 

fine  boil'd   Rock-Fish,  Pudding,  Cheese  &c Drink: 

good  Porter-Beer,  Cyder,  Rum,  &  Brandy  Toddy. 
The  Virginians  are  so  kind  one  can  scarce  know  how 
to  dispense  with,  or  indeed  accept  their  kindness  shown 

in    such    a    variety   of    instances. I    had    again    an 

oppertunity  of  seeing  Miss   Sally  Panton  which  is  the 

name  of  M":^  Turburville's  English  Governess But 

the  common  voice  seems  to  be  against  me  as  to  her 
being  Handsome But  her  huge  Stays  low  Head- 
dress;  enormous  long  Waist,  a  Dress  entirely  contrary 
to  the  liking  of  Virginia  Ladies,  these  I  apprehend 
make  her  in  their  Eyes  less  personable,  than  to  anyone 

wholly  unprejudiced Her  Stays  are  suited  to  come 

up  to  the  upper  part  of  her  shoulders,  almost  to  her 
chin  ;  and  are  swaithed  round  her  as  low  as  they  can 
possibly  be,  allowing   Her  the   liberty   to   walk  at  all: 

To    be   sure  this    is   a  vastly   modest    Dress! She 

speaks  French  &  is  to  teach  the  Language  to  Miss  Tur- 

burville,  &  also  Writing,  &  reading  English Upon 

the  whole,  if  her  Principles  of  Religion,  &  her  moral 
behaviour,  be  as  unexceptionable  as  her  person,  &  her 
Manner,  let  M^  &  M?  Carters  opinions  go   again  me  I 

shall  think  her  agreeable yixs'S,  Prissy  '^\s^  Najicy  : 

&  Miss  Fanny  all  stay  the  night  at  Captain  Turbur- 
ville's  At  Church,  M^.  Low,  a  young  Scotch  Gen- 
tleman, tutor  in  Colonel  Washingtotis  Family,  solicited 
me  to  carry  his  Recommendations  from  Scotland,  to 
T>\  Witherspoon  as  he  is  desirous  to  be  licensed  in  one 

of   our  northern   Presbyteries 1    shall   do  him  the 

Favour.      The   country  begins  to   put   on  her  Flowery 

Garment,   &   appear  in   gaity The  Apricots  are    in 

their  fullest  Bloom ;  Peaches  also,  &  Plumbs,  &  several 
sorts   of   Cheries  are   blossoming;    as   I   look  from   my 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  143 

Window  &  see  Groves  of  Peach  Trees  on  the  Banks  of 
Nomini ;  (for  the  orchards  here  are  very  large)  and 
other  Fruit  Trees  in  Blossom ;  and  amongst  them  inter- 
spers'd  the  gloomy  Savin ;  beyond  all  these  at  a  great 
Distance  the  blue  Potowmack;  and  over  this  great 
River,  just  discern  the  Woods  of  Maryland  &  conceive 
that  beyond  them  all  lies  Cohansie  my  native  pleasant 
Residence ;  &  when  I  think  with  myself  that  by  Gods 
permission,  in  a  ver)'  few  days  more  I  shall  be  in  the 
midst  of  Society,  quite  remote  from  formality,  and 
from  the  least  fear  of  giving  offence  by  being  familiar, 
or  of  being  aw'd  to  silence  by  ostentatious  vanity: 
how  the  thought  fires  me  I  Direct  my  Way,  merciful 
God,  and  keep  my  Feet  from  falling,  &  my  Heart  from 

disobeying  thy  pure  &  perfect  commandments And 

make  my  Way  prosperous  that  I  may  go  and  return 
again,  still  doing  thy  Pleasure,  &  honouring  thy  great 
Name ! 

Monday  ^. 

Easter  Monday ;  a  general  holiday  ;  Negroes  are 
now  all  disbanded  till  Wednesday  morning  &  are  at 
Cock  Fights  through  the  County ;  This  morning  I 
make  a  general  payment.  First,  to  Sam  the  Barber 
8/2.  Second  to  Tom  the  Hostler  7/6.  third  to  Nel- 
son who  waits  on  me  /.3L     Sum  15/115. 

M^  &  M"?  Carter,  with  M^.  Cunningham  &  Ben  (as 
M^  Cunningham  came    home    with  us    last    Night)    all 

rode    to    Day   to    Richmond    Court 1    was    in    the 

morning  strongly  solicited  to  go,  but  chose  to  decline 

it After  Breakfast,   came   home  from   M^  Turbur- 

ville's  our  young  Ladies,  they  inform  me  that  Miss 
Panton  discovered  a  strong  inclination  to  be  better 
acquainted  with  me ;   which  indeed  is  a  Curiosity  that  I 


144  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

cannot  say  I  am  altogether  destitute  of.  1  shall  there- 
fore, when  I  find  it  convenient  make  Miss  Panton  a 
visit 

I  was  before  Dinner  very  strongly  urged,  by  Mf 
Taylor,  M^  Randolph,  &  some  others  to  attend  a  Cock- 
Fight,  where  25  Cocks  are  to  fight,  &  large  Sums  are 
betted,  so  large  at  one  as  twenty  five  Pounds,  but  I 
chose  rather  to  stay  at  Home.  I  read  to  day,  and  am 
much  charmed  with  a  Speech  of  Plato  s  over  Alexander 

the   Great   lying   dead   before   him "O  thou,    who 

deceived  by  vain-Glory  didst  think  of  grasping  at 
everything,  others  are  now  going  to  gather  the  fruits 
of  thy  labours  &  thy  Fatigues.  Of  so  many  conquests, 
there  remains  of  thee  but  the  terrible  account,  which 
thou  art  obliged  to  render  unto  the  sovereign  Judge  "  ! 

I  have  also  to  Day  with  considerable  attention 
been  looking  over  Junius  s  Letters.  His  sentiments 
are  strong;  &  bold.     His  language  is  chaste,  &  concise. 

&  his   Genius  seems  free  and  vast 1  cannot  easily 

omit  transcribing  a  short  passage  from  his  letter  to  the 
Rev .4  ^\l  Home  in  which  he  is  speaking  of  Lord  Chat- 
ham, as  it  pleases  me  vastly.  "As  for  the  common, 
sordid  views  of  avarice,  or  any  purpose  of  vulgar 
Ambition,  I  question  whether  the  applause  of  Junius, 
would  be  of  service  to  Lord  Chatham.  My  vote  will 
hardly  recommend  him  to  an  increase  of  his  pension, 
or  to  a  Seat  in  the  Cabinet.     But  if  his  Ambition  be 

upon  a  levil  with  his  understanding If  he  Judges  of 

what  is  truly  honourable  for  himself  with  the  same 
superior  Genius  which  animates  &  directs  him  to  Elo- 
quence in  Debates,  to  Wisdom  in  Decision,  even  the 
Pen  of  Junius  shall  contribute  to  reward  him.  Recorded 
Honour  shall  gather  round  his  Monument,  &  thicken 
over    him.      It  is  a  solid   Fabric,    &   will  support  the 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  145 

Lawrels  that  adorn  it I  am  not  conversant  in  the 

language  of  panegyric These  praises  are  extorted 

from  me ;  but  they  will  wear  well,  for  they  have  been 
dearly  earned." 

Junius,  however,  does  not  seem  to  have  been  at 
all  ignorant  of  his  own  merit;  for  in  the  close  of  the 
same  letter  he  says  "  Such  Artifices  cannot  long  delude 
the  understanding  of  the  People;  &,  without  meaning 
an  indecent  Comparison  I  may  venture  to  foretell,  that 
the  Bible  &  Junius  will  be  read  when  the  Commentaries 

of  the  Jesuits  are  forgotten  :  "     We  supped  at  nine 

M":  Carter  tired  and  early  in  Bed. 

After  Supper  I  had  a  long  conversation  with  M^^ 
Carter  concerning  Negroes  in  Virginia,  &  find  that  She 
esteems  their  value  at  no  higher  rate  than  I  do.  We 
both  concluded,  (I  am  pretty  certain  that  the  conclu- 
sion is  just)  that  if  in  M":  Carters\  or  in  any  Gentle- 
mans  Estate,  all  the  Negroes  should  be  sold,  &  the 
Money  put  to  Interest  in  safe  hands,  &  let  the  Lands 
which  these  Negroes  now  work  lie  wholly  uncultivated, 
the  bare  Interest  of  the  price  of  the  Negroes  would 
be  a  much  greater  yearly  income  than  what  is  now 
received  from  their  working  the  Lands,  making  no 
allowance  at  all  for  the  trouble  <&;  Risk  of  the  Masters 

as  to  the  Crops,  &   Negroes. How  much  greater 

then  must  be  the  value  of  an  Estate  here  if  these 
poor  enslaved  Africans  were  all  in  their  native  desired 
Country,  &  in  their  Room  industrious  Tenants,  who 
being  born  jn  freedom,  by  a  laudable  care,  would  not 
only  enrich  their  Landlords,  but  would  raise  a  hardy 
OfTspring  to  be  the  Strength  and  the  honour  of  the 
Colony. 

^  Robert  Carter  emancipated  many  of   his  slaves  after  the  close  of  the 
Revolution,  some  of  whom  he  also  provided  for. 


146  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Tensday  5. 

It  is  with  difficulty  I  am  able  to  collect  the  mem- 
bers of  our  School  together  for  Business.  Holidays 
have  become  habitual,  &  they  seem  unwilling  to  give 
them  over.  As  the  Negroes  have  this  Day  for  a  Holi- 
day our  Schollars  thinks  it  hard  that  they  should  be 
compell'd  to  attend  to  Business.  I  summon  them 
together  however,  and  shall  keep  them  to  constant 
Study  until  the  time  of  my  setting  away.  Miss  Pris- 
cilla  this  morning  told  me,  of  Miss  Panton,  a  moving 
story :  Last  Sunday  Evening  after  we  left  there  She 
took  a  lonely  Walk,  &  being  asked  why  She  chose  to 
walk  without  a  companion,  she  answered  that  she  was 
thinking  of  Home  &  of  her  Friends,  &  indulging  her 

fond   Grief  on   account  of   their  absence! Such    a 

feeling  as  this  I  have  not  been  a  stranger  to,  I  there- 
fore Sympathize  with  the  poor  young  Girl.     The  Day 

agreeably  pleasant Towards   Evening   Miss  Corbin 

came  over  to  pay  us  a  visit.  After  School  I  waited  on 
the  Ladies  in  the  Dining-Room  the  conversation  was 
on  Fashions,  which  instantly  introduced  the  oddity  of 
Miss  Paiiton.  But  Miss  Corbin  with  a  Sneer^  &  with 
ill-nature  enough,  swore  She  would  not  think  of  imi- 
tating such  a  thing  as  her! O! — Tantasne  Animis 

coelestibus   Irse  ? 1  spent  the   Evening  in  cheerful 

chat  with  the  Ladies.  I  think  I  have  not  had  a  more 
sociable  &  unconstrained  feeling  since  I  left  Home,  & 
my  forgiving  Friends. 

Wednesday  6. 

Ben  is  making  a  great  Bustle  about  going  to  Phila- 
delphia  He  almost  counts  the  Hours We  pro- 
pose to  go  next  Wednesday.  But  with  composure,  & 
Patience,   yet  with   great   satisfaction   I  anticipate  the 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  147 

near  approaching  Day.  Ben  begs  me  to  acquaint  him 
with  the  manners  of  the  People  in  regard  to  Religion, 
and  he  swears  he  can  suit  himself  to  any   serious,  or 

formal  V^isage 

M"?  Carter,  &   Miss  Corbiii,  after  Breakfast  rode  to 

Colonel  Frank-Lee's^ We  dine  alone.     I  informed 

the  Colonel  that  I  do  not  think  it  will  be  convenient 

for  me  to  continue  with  him  longer  than  one  year 

He   discovered    some    dissatisfaction ;    I    told    him   my 

reason  &  he  assented he  honours  me,  by   putting 

in  me  so  much  confidence  as  to  commission  me  to  find 
out  and  recommend  to  Him  some  young  Gentleman  to 

succeed   me  in  the  instruction  of  his  Children He 

flattered  my  vanity  also  by  reading  a  Letter  to  me 
which  I  am  to  bear  to  D^  Witherspoon,  the  contents  of 
it  as  follows 

"  Robert  Carters  compliments  to  D^  Witherspoon  ;  He  has  the 
pleasure  to  acquaint  Him  that  M";  Fithians  Method  of  teaching,  &  his 
conduct  are  highly  approved  here ;  He  is  about  to  visit  his  friends  in 
New-yersey,  &  will  bring  these  from  Sir, 

Your  humble  Serv'    " 

He  informed  me  that  he  does  indeed  prefer  a 
Tutor  for  his  Children  who  has  been  educated  upon 
the  Continent,  not  on  the  supposition  that  such  are 
better  SchoUars,  or  that  they  are  of  better  principles, 
or  of  more  agreeable  Tempers;  but  only  on  account  of 
pronunciation  in  the  English  Language,  (as  most  of  his 
Children  are  to  be  taught  chiefly  in  this)  in  which  he 
allows  young  Gentlemen  educated  in  good  Schools  on 
the  Continent,  to  excel  the  Scotch  young  Gentlemen, 

&  indeed  most  of  the  English. Evening  came  in  & 

staid  the  Night  Captain  Blackwell. 

*  Francis  Lightfoot  Lee.     See  page  98,  note  2. 


148  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Thursday  j . 

Breakfasted  with  us  Miss  Corbin.    The  Day  pleasant 

M^  Carter  proposes  to  set  away  soon  after  Dinner 

He   seems,    however,   to   prepare   himself   for    his 


Journey  with  all  the   sedateness  of  a  philosopher 

Besides  the  Commands  he  gave  me  yesterday,  he 
desires  me  to  wait  on  M^  Willing'  Merchant  in  Phila- 
delphia, &  know  if  he  will  trade  here  for  either  Flour 

or  Bread  in  any  Quantity. He  has  given  Ben  &  me 

an  Invitation  to  ride  &  spend  this  Evening  with  him  at 
Colonel  Tayloes We  set  out  about  three;  M^  Car- 
ter travels  in   a  small,    neat  Chair,  with   two  waiting 

Men We    rode  across  the   Country  which  is  now 

in  full  Bloom ;  in  every  field  we  saw  Negroes  plant- 
ing Corn,  or  plowing,  or  hoeing;  we  arrived  at  the 
Colonels  about  five,    Distance  twelve   miles.     Here  is 

an  elegant  Seat !  ^ The   House  is  about  the  size  of 

M^  Carters,  built  with  stone,  &  finished  curiously,  & 
ornamented  with  various  paintings,  &  rich  Pictures. 
This    Gentleman   owns   Yorick,    who   won  the   prize   of 

5oo;£'  last  November,  from  Dr.  Floods  Horse  Gift 

In  the  Dining-Room,  besides  many  other  fine  Pieces, 
are  twenty  four  of  the  most  celebrated  among  the  Eng- 
lish  Race-Horses,    Drawn   masterly,    &   set  in  elegant 

'  Thomas  Willing  (1731-1821),  partner  with  Robert  Morris  in  the  great 
house  of  Willing  and  Morris  ;  afterwards  president  of  the  Bank  of  North 
America,  and  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States.  {Am.  Hist.  Review,  V.  5, 
No.  2,  307,  n.  I.) 

'  Mt.  Airy,  the  beautiful  home  of  the  Tayloe  family,  still  stands.  It  was 
built  in  1750,  by  Col.  John  Tayloe,  and  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  old 
colonial  mansions.  The  interior  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1844,  but  was  rebuilt 
by  Mr.  William  Tayloe  within  the  same  walls.  Situated  upon  a  high  hill  in 
Richmond  County,  it  commands  an  extensive  and  beautiful  view  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock River  and  surrounding  country.  More  fortunate  than  many  of  its 
neighbours,  it  is  still  a  family  possession,  being  at  present  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Henry  Tayloe,  a  great-grandson  of  the  builder. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  I49 

gilt  Frames. He   has    near    the  great   House,  two 

fine  two  Story  stone  Houses,  the  one  is  used  as  a 
Kitchen,  &  the  other,  for  a  nursery,  &  Lodging  Rooms 
He  has  also  a  large,  well  formed,  beautiful  Gar- 
den, as  fine  in  every  Respect  as  any  I  have  seen  in 
Virginia.       In    it    stand    four    large    beautiful    Marble 

Statues From  this  House  there  is  a  good  prospect 

of  the  River  Rapahannock,  which  opposite  here  is  about 
two  miles  across;  We  can  also  from  the  chambers 
easily  see  the  Town  Hobbes-Hole^  &  the  Ships  which  lie 
there.      I  was  introduced  by  M^  Carter  to  the  Colonel, 

to  Miss  Polly,  &  to  Miss  Kitty ^  his  Daughters & 

to  a  Lady  (M":^  Thornton)  that  happened  there,  &  to  a 

young  Gentleman,   M":  Corbin^ The   young    Ladies 

played  several  tunes  for  us,  &  in  good  Taste  on  the 
Harpsichord ;  We  supp'd  at  nine;  and  had  the  usual 
Toasts. 

Fry  day  8. 

The  Ladies  before  breakfast  gave  us  several  tunes 

on  the  Harpsichord About  ten  Mr  Carter  set  out  for 

Williamsburg,  to  the  general  Court,  which  sits  twice  a 
year,  each  Time  twenty  four  Days  Sundays  excluded 

'  The  present  town  of  Tappahannock,  in  Essex  County. 

^Catherine  Tayloe  married  Landon  Carter  of  Sabine  Hall,  Richmond 
County,  in  1780.  Of  the  other  daughters,  ist,  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  was 
married  in  1767,  to  Governor  Edward  Lloyd  of  Maryland  ;  2nd,  Rebecca,  to 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  in  1769  ;  3rd,  Eleanor,  to  Ralph  Wormly  of  Middlesex, 
in  1772  ;  4th,  Ann  Corbin,  to  Thomas  Lomax  of  Caroline,  in  1773  ;  5th, 
Mary,  to  Mann  Page  of  Spottsylvania,  in  1776  ;  6th,  Catherine,  as  above; 
7th,  Jane,  to  Robert  Beverley  of  Essex,  in  1791  ;  8th,  Sarah,  to  Col.  William 
Augustine  Washington  of  Westmoreland,  in  1799.  (Meade's  Old  Churches 
and  Families,  V.  2,  182.) 

'Probably  a  son  of  Richard  Corbin  of  Laneville,  who  married  Elizabeth, 
sister  of  Col.  John  Tayloe  of  the  Council. 


I50  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 
We  had  some  agreeable  conversation   this  morn- 


ing-;  Horses  seem  to  be  the  Colonels  favourite  topic 

He  inquired  of   me  however,  where  I  was  born ; 

where  educated ;   &  if  I  am  pleased  with  Virginia 


He  told  me  he  saw  D^  Witherspoon^  &  conversed  with 
him  an  Evening  last  Fall,  &  is  much  pleased  with  his 
manner,  &  Qualities He  informed  me  that  T>l  Mor- 
gan^ of  Philadelphia  breakfasted  with  him  a  few  Days 
ago;  he  calls  the  Doctor  facetious,  sensible,  &  prudent. 
The  Colonel  desired  me  to  enquire  for  some  Gentle- 
man  of  undoubted  ability  to   teach  in  a  Family 1 

shall  apply  to   M\  Sa7nl  Lcck  jun'r^  &  if  he   declines   I 

will  look  no  further Ben  &  I  took  our  Leave  about 

Eleven,   and   returned    Home The   Day   is    cloud)^ 

and   cold,  the   wind   hard  at    North,  &  threatens  Snow 

This  evening   Ben  met   with   a  sad   repulse;    M":? 

Carter  proposes  going  to  Williamsburg  soon,  &  says 
she  must  have  his  compan3M  Poor  Boy,  he  feels  the 
Force  of  Disappointment!  And  I  confess  I  am  a  little 
vexed. 

'Dr.  John  Witherspoon  came  to  this  country  from  Scotland  in  1768,  to 
accept  the  presidency  of  Princeton  College,  which  office  he  held  until  his 
death,  in  1794.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress  almost  continuously  from  1776 
to  1783,  and  a  signer  and  strong  advocate  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
and  the  Articles  of  Confederation. 

^  Dr.  John  Morgan,  F.R.S.,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  medical  school  at 
Philadelphia  and  one  of  its  first  and  most  eminent  professors.  Appointed  by 
Congress  director-general  of  the  militarj'  hospitals,  and  physician-in-chief 
(1775-1777)  to  the  American  army. 

'This  Samuel  Leake  was  the  best  scholar  of  the  class  of  1774,  then  about 
to  graduate  at  Princeton,  and  had  been  appointed  by  the  faculty  to  deliver  the 
Latin  Salutatory,  but  the  choice  was  vacated  by  the  board  of  trustees  on  the 
ground  that  he  had  been  active  "  In  publickly  burning  the  effigy  of  Governor 
Hutchinson,  and  also  insulting  an  honourable  member  of  this  Board,  for 
endeavouring  in  a  very  becoming  manner  to  prevent  the  said  riotous  proceed- 
ings." [Minutes  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  Princeton  College,  April  19th, 
1774.)     See  Maclean's  History  of  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  V.  i,  31S. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  151 

Saturday  g. 

M?  Carter  gave  Ben  liberty  to  go  with  me  as  far 
as  Anopolis,  provided  we  set  out  soon,  &  accordingly 
we  propose  to  set  off  to-morrow  or  Monday  morning,  I 
begin  therefore  to  prepare  for  the  Ride.  The  Day  is 
rainy  &  cold,  &  I  am  in  a  vastly  disagreeable  Humour. 

Sunday  10. 

M"?  Carter  yesterday,  in  the  Character  of  a  truely 
fond  Mother,  altered  her  mind  concerning  Beji  many 
Times  and  in  several  different  manners:  At  first  she 
agreed  for  him  to  go  with  me  as  far  as  Anopolis  with- 
out a  waiting  Man ;  then  she  concluded  he  was  not 
well  and  had  better  decline  going  entirely ;  towards 
Evening  she  gave  him  full  liberty  if  he  will  take  a 
Waiting-Man ;  &  will  not  set  away  till  Monda}'  morn- 
ing;  This  I  urged  not  being  pleased  from  the  Begining 

with  going  on  the  Sabbath ■  I  gave  yesterday  to  the 

Shoemaker  a   Bit &   a  Bit    to   the   Wash   woman; 

half  a  Bit  to  her  little  Girl ;  &  half  a  Bit  to  Nelson  the 
Boy  who  waits  on  our  School;   the  whole  i/iii. 

This  morning  is  extremely  pleasant  the  Country 
full  of  Flowers,  &  the  branches  full  of  lovely  singing 

Birds. Before  Breakfast  I  saw  a  Ring  of  Negroes 

at  the  Stable,  fighting  Cocks,  and  in  several  parts  of 
the  plantation  they  are  digging  up  their  small  Lots  of 
ground  allow'd  by  their  Master  for  Potatoes,  peas,  &c; 
All  such  work  for  themselves  they  constantly  do  on 
Sundays,  as  they  are  otherwise  employed  on  every 
other  Day.     Sermon  to  Day,  is  at  Ucomico,  too  far  for 

my  Horse  immediately  before  his  Journey Neither 

M^  Carter  nor  any  of  the  Family  go At  Dinner  I 

received  a  Letter  from  M^  Lowe,  with  his  Testimonial 
from  the   College  in    Edinburg  which  I  am  to  present 


152  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

to  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  and  if  it  shall  be 
accepted,  I  am  to  bring  such  Exercises  as  they  may 
appoint. 

Monday  11. 

Bens  Mare  lame;  Nat  must  stay,  Ben  &  I  set  out 
at  eight  Rode  by  Westmoreland  Court-House,  Mattox 
Church ;  fed  at  Mattox-Bridge,  Rode  by  round-hill 
Church,  to  Taylors   Ferry  by   three   o-Clock   36   Miles 

passed  over  the  Ferry  7  Miles  Ferriage  6/2 

At  a  small  House  in  Virginia  for  a  gallon  of  Corn  1/4. 

At  a  small  Tavern  at  the  Ferry  on  the  Maryland 

side    Expence  /q     rode    from    thence    three    Miles    to 

Squire  Lees^  who  has  the  Naval  office  here Spent 

the  Evening  with  young  M":  Lee,  Miss  Lee,  Miss  Booth, 

&  Miss  Washington Toasts I  gave  Miss  Nancy 

Galloway Between    the    Ferry    and    M":  Lees    we 

passed  through  four  gates. 

Tcusday  12. 

Up    soon,    expence    to    Boy   /s.       Rode    to    Port 

Tobacco,   13    Miles  good   road Fine  Hill  near  the 

town;    between  M":  Lees  &  Port  Tobacco  13  Gates 

This    is   a   small   Town   of    not   more    than    twenty   or 

twenty-five  Houses,  mostly  of  one  story Expence 

for  a  gallon  of  Oats  /8,  for  bitters  /4,  the  Day  fine 
Rode  thence  to  Piscataway ;   the  road  good  15  Gates  ^ 

^  This  was  Richard  Lee,  eldest  son  of  Philip  Lee,  and  first  cousin  to 
Richard  Henry  Lee.  He  resided  in  Charles  County,  Maryland,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  Proprietors  Council  in  1755.  His  wife  was  Grace  Ashton, 
daughter  of  Col.  Henry  Ashton  of  Westmoreland  County,  Virginia. 

^  In  those  days  country  roads  were  not  fenced  on  both  sides,  and  as  they 
mostly  ran  through  rich  farming  lands,  the  farmers  gates  were  a  great  annoyance 
to  the  traveller.  It  is  related  of  a  certain  dame  of  the  period  (Mrs.  George  Tur- 
berville  of  Peckatone,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume),  noted  for  her  sprightly 
temper,  that  when  setting  abroad,  she  was  wont  to  arm  her  out-riders  with  axes 
and  with  orders  to  remove  all  obstructions.    (See  Lee's  Lee  of  Virginia,  p.  84.) 


1774]                         JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  153 
many   fine   streams  of    pure   water and  many 


beautiful  hills This  is  a  small  Town  of  low  Houses 

not  more  than  two  in  it  two  Stories  High ;  It  lies  how- 
ever in  a  fine  rich  valey Expence  for  Dinner,  Wine 

&  Oats  4/-  from  Piscataway  we  rode  to  upper  Marl- 
borough the  road  something  hilly,  we  passed  through 

15  Gates,  two  elegant  Seats  i\I^  Wests  &  M".  Diggs^ 

arrived  at  Marlborough  by  six  it  is  a  pleasant  levil 
spot,  16  Miles  from  Alexandria they  have  a  Pres- 
byterian Meeting-House  which  M":  Hunt  supplies 

They  have  a  latin  School  also  here ;  &  an  elegant  Bail- 
Room  Piscataway  is  seven  miles  from  Alexandria. 

In  bed  by  nine. 

Wednesday  ij. 

Up  early,  the  morning  fine.  Expence  here  4/1 1 
Rode  thence  through  a  pleasant  country  four  miles  to 
a  small  Ferry  over  Patuxen,  Ferriage  -/6.  then  twelve 
Miles  to  South  River  three  quarters  of  a  Mile  over 
Ferriage  /6?.     then  we  rode  thro  a  piny   sandy   road 

four  miles  to  Anopolis  32  Gates This  is  a  pleasant 

situated  Town;   the  Inhabitants  appear  gay  &  cheerful 

1   put  up  at   the   Coffee-House An   agreeable 

Woman   keeps   it  Expence  to  a  Barber  for  shaving  & 

dressing  1/6 For  oats  Coffee  &c  3/1 To  Boy 

-/lo.  I  roved  through  the  Town  til  five  then  I  entered 
into   a  Boat  the  wind   South  West  &  Sailed  over  the 

Bay  for  Rock-Hall  distance  25  miles the  Boats  are 

extremely  good,  well  built,  &  strongly  manned,  & 
indeed  there  is  need,  for  the  Bay  is  broad,  &  often 
boistrous;  we  arrived  at  Rock  Hall  by  half  after  nine; 
I    was  very  sick  on   the  passage,  &   I  never  was   sick 

'  Probably  that  of  Ignatius  Digges  of  Prince  George  County,  Maryland, 
whose  daughter  Mary  married  Governor  Thomas  Sim  Lee,  October  27th,  1771. 


154  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

before  on  the  water The  ferriage  here  for  a  Man  & 

Horse   is    15/ To   the   Ferry   Man  for  a  Quart  of 

Rum  1/3.  And  for  my  footing  never  having  crossed 
the  ferry  before  I  paid  i/-.  The  whole  expence  of 
this  Day  is  i£  Sf  7? 

Thursday  i/f.. 

The  morning  fine,  I  have  from  this  place  a  view  of 

the  broad  Chesapeek Expence  here  for  Tea  in  the 

Evening,   Oats   Cordial  &c  4/10.     set  away  half  after 

Six To   Boy   ./3      Rode  from   Rock   Hall  over   a 

delightful   part   of    the    country    to    Chester-Town    13 

Miles this  is  a  beautiful  small   Town  on  a  River 

out  of  the  Bay  navigable  for  Ships.     The  Situation  is 

low  &  I  apprehend  it  is  subject  to  summer  Fevers 

It  has  an   elegant   I   may   say  grand   Court-House,  in 

which  is  the  town  Clock M^  Wall  the  Commedian, 

has  been  for  several  Evenings  past  exhibiting  Lectures 
in  Electricity,  &  I  understand  with  some  considerable 
applause.  They  have  a  lottery  here  on  foot  &  to  be 
drawn  in    May  next  for  to   assist  them   in   building  a 

market-House  Town-Wharf  &c. I   Breakfast  here, 

&  feed,  Expence  2/3.   to  Boy  ./2d In  this  Town  & 

the  neighbouring  Country  rages  at  present  a  malignant, 
putrid  Fever,  &  what  is  generally  called  the  spotted 
Fever! From  Chester  Town  I  rode  to  George- 
Town,    16  miles The   Land   levil,  fertile,  &  vastly 

pleasant In    this    Town    I    visited    M^  Voorhces,    an 

eminent  Merchant  here,  &  he  seems  to  be  a  Gentleman 

of   peculiar   smartness    Industry  &  Aconomy The 

Fever  I  now  mentioned,  is  also  here,  &  the  whooping- 

Cough  is  very  general  &  malignant 1  lodged  with 

this  Gentleman We  had  Evening  prayers Since 

I   left  Cohansie  I  have  not  heard   the  like This  is 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  155 

a  small  Town,  &  lies  on  a  fine  River,  which  divides 
it  from  another  small  Town  directly  opposite  call'd 
Frederick. 

Fry  day  /j. 

I  rose  early After  Breakfast  I  rode  to  see  Miss 

Rachel  Stocktin,  now  M":^  Ryhy  ;  She  lives  on  this  River, 
about  a  mile  higher  up,  in  a  large  very  elegant  brick 

House,    in   considerable  grandeur Poor    Girl    She 

herself  is  much  indisposed  either  of  a  bad  Cold,  (as 
She  thinks)  or  of  this  epidemical  Fever;  M':^  Ryley 
introduced  me  ceremoniously  to  Miss  Ryley  her  Hus- 
bands Sister.     She  has  a  small  handsome  Fortune,  &  is 

perhaps  agreeable I   returned   to   Town,   &   dined 

with  M^  VoorJiccs,  &  immediately  after  crossed  over  the 
Ferr}'  for  Port-Penn.  Expence  at  George-  Toivn  for  my 
Horse  2/3  to  Boy  ./4.      I   rode  next  to  a  small  village 

called    Warwick,    a   pitiful    place   indeed Expence 

here  i/ii  Boy  ./2.  then  I  rode  on  to  Port-Penn,  the 
Country  beautiful,  the  Land  apparently  very  rich,  the 
Timber  strait  &  large;  I  entered  Port-Penn  just  as 
the    Sun    went   down,    but   could    not   prevail  with   the 

Ferry-Man  to  carry  me   over  before  the  morning 

In  George-Town  I  was  told  the  following  distressing 
News  ;  that  V)\  Ward,  &  my  Aunt  Fithia7i  of  Cohansie 
are  both  Dead ;  that  my  Aunt  died  in  a  very  sudden 
unusual  manner! That  Miss  Polly  Bullock  of  Phila- 
delphia is  dying  in  a  Consumption! In  the  Even- 
ing I  called  in  to  see  M^  Steward  an  ancient  gray 
headed,  wealthy  Gentleman  in  Port-Penn,  who,  by 
some  Weakness  in  his  Back,  has  been  unable  to  walk 
at  all  for  four  years,  he  is  hearty,  religious,  cheerful, 
seemed  much  pleased,  &  thanked  me  often  for  calling 
to  see  him,  &  desired  by  me  his  kindest  Compliments 


156  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  M^  Hunters  Family 1  spend  the  Evening  alone 

with  quiet  &  content. In  Bed  by  nine 

Saturday  16. 

I   rose  early,   &    expected   to   pass   soon  over   the 

Ferry The  wind  moderate  at  North  West  but  the 

boat  is  aground,  &  1  must  wait  until  eleven,  when  She 

is  expected   to  float 1   was  much    alarmed  in  the 

night,  thinking  I  had  in  Maryland  taken  the  putrid 
Fever;    I  lay  sleepless,  felt  feverish,  had  pains  in   my 

Head But  I  feel  wholly  relieved  this  morning.     At 

twelve  the  Boat  came We  run  over Expence 

at  Port-Penn  4/8.  Ferriage  5/-.  Once  more  through 
Gods  Mercy  in  New-Jersey.  The  Favours  of  God  our 
common  Parent  are  innumerable,  &  great  beyond  our 

merit 1  rode  with  Pleasure  from  Elsenborough  to 

Greenwich ;  I  stopt  to  see  the  forsaken  M":^  Ward ;  She 
seems  to  be  truely  distress'd!  I  arrived  by  Sunset  at 
my  Uncles  he  also  seems  much  afflicted,  with  his  Loss 

He    informed    me    that    many    have    Died    in    the 

Neighbourhood   of  Greenwich  this   winter.     D^  Ward, 

Squire  Millar,   M^  Boy'd   Merchant Aunt   Fithian, 

aunt  Ware,  Rachel  Peck,  Rachel  Ware,  David  Hills, 
M-:'  Mills  &c.     a  very  Mortal  Winter! 

Sunday  ij. 

The  morning  vastly  pleasant,  &  Cohansie  looks  as 
delightsome  as  ever  it  used  I  went  to  meeting.  How 
unlike  Virginia,  no  rings  of  Beaux  chatting  before  & 
after  Sermon  on  Gallantry  -,  no  assembling  in  crowds 
after  Service  to  dine  &  bargain;  no  cool,  spiritless 
harangue  from  the  Pulpit;  Minister  &  people  here 
seem  in   some   small    measure   to   reverence    the    Day, 

there  neither  do  the  one  or  the  other 1  spent  the 

day  at  Home. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  157 

Monday  i8. 

I  took  a  tour  over  to  Town  before  dinner  to  see 
old  acquaintances.  The  Neighbourhood  looks  in  noth- 
ing altered  M^  Potter  took  home  my  Brother  Amos  with 
an  intention  if  it  shall  suit  to  learn  him  the  Storekeep- 

ing  business Afternoon  I  rode  to  M^  Hunters 

And  in  the  Evening  with  Andrew  to  Deerfield,  spent 
the  Evening  til  ten  at  M^  Greens  in  company  with  the 
amiable  Miss  Beatty M":^  Green  is  much  indis- 
posed,   has    lately    had    a    daughter The    School 

here  is  at  the  present  time  larger  than  it  has  ever 
been ;  there  are  now  seven  viz.  John  Leek,  Reading- 
Beatty*,  James  &  John  Ramsey,  Stephen  Ranney,  See- 
ley    Fithian,    &    Thomas    Greenman We    rode    to 

M"?  Pecks.  Joseph  since  I  left  home,  has  married  M":^ 
Hannah. 

Teusday  /p. 

Rose    at   six.     Breakfasted  with    M""?  Peck.     Soon 

after  we  again  visited  M*:  Green I  spent  the  Day 

most  agreeably.     Kind  Heaven  has  indulg'd  my  wish ; 

In  the  Evening  I  went  up  and  staid  the  Night  at 

M?  Pecks. 

Wednesday  20. 

Soon    after    breakfast    I    rode    home    and    visited 

several  of  my   acquaintances I    had   my    Hair  cut 

short Feel  myself  much  indisposed.     Looked  over, 

sorted  &  adjusted  my  Books 

'  Reading  Beatty  was  a  brother  of  Elizabeth  Beatty.  He  served  during 
the  first  two  years  of  the  Revolution  in  the  Fifth  Pennsylvania  battalion,  and 
was  captured  at  Fort  Washington  and  confined  on  the  "  Myrtle,"  prison  ship  ; 
was  afterward  released  and  received  a  commission  from  Congress  as  surgeon, 
which  post  he  held  until  the  end  of  the  war. 


158  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Thursday  21 . 

Spent  all  this  day  in  preparing  for  my  approach- 
ing examination  before  the  Rev^  Presbytery I  am 

to  review  Greek  Testament Moral  &  Natural  Phi- 
losophy   Logic Geography      And    if    I    have 

time  I  must  look  over  the  Lattin  Classics. 

Fry  day  22. 

Rode  to  the  Stage  early  for  the  Papers  thence  I 
went  to  M^  Hunters  where  I  met  with  that  great  mas- 
ter of  music,  M^  Lyon^ He  sung  at  my  request,  & 

sings  with    his   usual    softness  &    accuracy He    is 

about  publishing  a  new  Book  of  Tunes  which  are  to  be 

chiefly   of  his  own   Composition He  has  removed 

out  of  Halifax  into  the  Northern  part  of  New-England, 
but  poor  Man,  since  he  left  Cohansie  he  has  felt  the 
hardy  arm  of  want !  — - — - 1  returned  towards  Evening  but 
promised  first  to  visit  him  again  to-morrow  afternoon. 

Saturday  2j. 

At  home  drawing  off  some  of  Mr  Lyons  Tunes,  & 

revising  my  own  Exercises The   morning  pleasant 

but  the  weather  dry.  Afternoon  according  to  appoint- 
ment I  visited  M^  Lyon  at  M^  Hunters.  He  sings  with 
great  accuracy.  I  sung  with  him  many  of  his  Tunes  & 
had  much  Conversation  on  music,  he  is  vastly  fond  of 
music  &  musical  genius's  We  spent  the  Evening  with 
great  sattisfaction  to  me. 

'This  was  James  Lyon,  who  graduated  from  Princeton  College  in  1759, 
and  who  compiled  and  published  a  large  collection  of  church  music,  entitled 
Urania,  or  a  Choice  Collection  of  Psalm- Tunes,  Anthems  and  Hymns.  (Henry 
Dawkins,  Phila.,  1761.)  The  work  was  not  a  financial  success  though  its  list 
of  subscribers  numbered  one  hundred  and  forty-two,  among  whom  officers 
and  students  of  Princeton  College  were  most  numerously  represented.  (See 
Frederic  Louis  Ritter,  Music  in  America,  pp.  40-43.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  159 

Sunday  2^. 

I  left  M^  Hunters  Early.  I  wrote  a  line  to  Miss 
Beatty,  for  a  excuse  for  not  seeing  her  yesterday. 
Attended  Sermon  at  Greenwich.  I  rode  in  the  Even- 
ing to  the  Bridge  to  hear  M^  Green,  my  old,  much 
respected  Tutor  preach,  he  came  &  delivered  himself 
admirably  without  making  Use  of  Notes  at  all.  I 
staid  the  Night  at  M":  Seeleys,  visited  M":^  Ramsey, 
&  D":  Elmer  &  spoke  with  many  of  my  acquaint- 
ances  

Monday  2^. 

I  breakfasted  with  1^":=  Ramsey,  then  rode  to  M"? 
Boyds,  &  by  M":  Ewing  I  was  introduced  to  herself  & 

her  two  Daughters  Miss  Matty  &  Miss  Sally 1  had 

heard   that  this   family  is  genteel,  industrious  &  relig- 
ious.    I  saw  now  &  believed  it Lately,  by  a  sore 

stroke    of   providence,    M^    Boyd    the    Head   has    been 
removed  by  Death  ! 

Left  M":^  Boyds  &  rode  to  Ephraim  Seeleys  jun! 
then  about  Eleven  rode  to  Deerfield;   dined  with 


M";  Green.     I   had  the  pleasure  to  spend  the  afternoon 
and  evening  with  Miss  Beatty. 

Tcusday  26. 

Visited    Mr    Nathan    Leek,    he    seems    to    be    still 

loquacious,  &   historical He  gave   me   a   long  and 

full  account  of  the  present  difference  between  M^  Htm- 

ter,  Grecnvian,  &  Brown, He  told  me   Likewise   the 

Begining  &  continuation  of  the  quarrel  of  the  Magis- 
trates-freeholders, &  other  officers  about  raising  money 

by   taxation    for  repairing   Cohansie-Bridge After 

Dinner,    with     Miss    Beatty    I     rode    and    visited    M"? 
Boyd. 


l6o  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  2'j. 

John  Peck^  agreed  to  succeed  me  at  M^  Carters  in 
Virginia  I  spoke  to  M^  Samuel  Leek  jun!  concerning 
M^  Tayloes  proposal ;   he  is  doubtful  about  an  answer 

Paid  John  Peck  for  postage  of  my  Letter  to  him 
last  Winter  4/-  Bought  a  watch-seal  i/.  Rode  to 
Greenwich  after  Dinner. 

Thursday  28. 

I  waited  on  the  Miss  Boyds  to  day  to  Hollinsheads, 
New-England-Town.     His  Family  are  in  good  health; 

there  I  saw  the  amiable  Miss  Debby  Pratt M\  Hol- 

linshead  informed  me  that  the  Presbytery  have  been 
only  a  little  pleased  with  the    Examination  of  Messrs. 

probably    mine    will    be    worse !       Returned    to 

M^^  Boyds  in  the  Evening. 

Fry  day  2g. 

I  rode  to  M^  Green's  after  breakfast M^  Dicky 

Howel  came  in ;  we  spent  the  afternoon  &  Evening 
with  M^  Green  &  Miss  Beatty ;  M^  Green  is,  to  be 
sure,  vastly  sensible,  very  intelligible,  dry,  witty,  satir- 
ical, yet  good  and  exceeding  agreeable. 

Saturday  jo. 

Breakfasted  with  the  Parson Rode  home  soon 

after  breakfast proceeded  in  preparing  for  the  near 

approaching   examination The   latter   part  of   this 

Day  very  stormy. 

Sunday  May  i'*  1774. 

Very  cool  the   wind  violent  at   North  West I 

spent  the    morning  in  looking  over  the  Greek-Testa- 

*  See  page  47,  note  2. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  l6l 

ment To  day  preached  for  us  M^  Aiken.     He  seems 

to  be  much  applauded  by  the  People. 

Monday  2. 

Very  early  I  rode  over  to  M":  Holinshead's  at  Miss 
Pratts  request  to  carry  her  to  M":  Hoshels  to  be  ready 

to-morrow  morning  for  the  Stage We  rode  to  the 

Bridge  &  dined  at  M":^  Boyds After  dinner  we  rode 

to   M^  Hoshels Miss  Dcbby  Pratt  according  to  her 

general  character,  is  in  every  measure  what  I  have 
said  somewhere  before,  Genteel,  modest,  Religious,  & 
cheerful. 

Teusday  j. 

I  conducted  Miss  Pratt  to  the  Stage  this  morn- 
ing by  five  and  took  my  leave 1  immediately  after 

returned  to  the  Bridge,  thence  to  M^  Holinsheads  by 
eight  o  Clock Returned  home  by  twelve. 

Wednesday  /j.. 

Last  night  &  this  morning  fell  a  very  considerable 
Snow,  so  much  that  I  imagine  had  it  not  melted  after 
it  fell  it  would  have  been  six  inches  deep! After- 
noon   I   walked    to   Deerfield Miss  Beatty   a   little 

thoughtful. 

Thursday  5. 

At  the  Bridge  before  noon  to  agree  with  M":  Potter 

about  taking  my  Brother  Amos  prentice We  put 

it  off   some   Days Expence  for  a  Watch  Key  ./g. 

Last  night  was  very  cold ;  I  shall  scarce  be  believed  if 
I  say  that  I  saw,  handled,  &  measured  Ice  this  morning 
two  Inches  thick ! 


l62  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Fry  day  6. 

Still  very  cold.  To  Day  is  the  fast  before  Sacra- 
ment. M^  Hunter  gave  us  two  Sermons.  The  leaves 
on  the  Trees  are  grown  black,  the  Fruit  must  be  past 
recovery,  probably  the  Flax  too. 

Saturday  y. 

I  did  several  errands  for  myself  in  Greenwich 

Before    Noon   M""  Patterson    call'd   to    see   me ;    He   is 

shortly  to  be  married  to  Miss  Amy  Ewing She  is 

a  Girl  of  Reading,  Taste,  &  Delicacy ;  has  a  good 
share  of  personal  Beauty,  open,  sociable,  &  kind  in  her 

manner,  and  on  the  whole  agreeable Ml  Paterson 

seemed  always  to  me  formal,  has  a  peculiar,  universal 
Fondness  for  the  Fair  is  a  great  mathematician,  a  good 
English  Scholar  &  Philosopher,  &  is  frugal  &  indus- 
trious. I  rode  with  M^  Patterson  to  Mr  Hunters,  he 
informed  me  many  things  concerning  the  new  School 
or  small  Academy  lately  instituted  at  Wilmington,  in 
which  he  is  second  Master.  Evening  I  wrote  a  senti- 
mental Letter  to  Miss  Beatty. 

Sunday  8. 

To  day  at  Greenwich  was  administered,  &  I  re- 
ceived the  holy  Sacrament Grant,  great  God,  that 

I  may  have  been  a  worthy  communicant!  I  dined 
with  M':^  Ward.  She  speaks  with  great  Respect,  Affec- 
tion, and  Sincerity  of  her  late  worthy  Partner. 

Monday  g. 

Til  Eleven  I  am  busy  in  looking  over  Exercises 
for  the  approaching  Presbytery.  After  Dinner  I  made 
M^*  Brewster  a  Visit.  M^  Ben  Peck  in  my  opinion  is 
rashly  entering  on  an  important  matter;    he  is  going  to 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  163 

begin  in  a  few  Days  the  Study  of  Phisic  under  the 
direction  of  D^  Bowen,  whose  knowledge  &  Practice, 
by  those  who  are  in  fact  Judges  in  the  Art  seems  to 
be  wholly  exploded.  There  is  a  report  that  M^^  Brew- 
ster is  in  prospect  of  being  married  to  a  gentleman 
from  Maryland ;  She  talks  freely  of  it,  says  She  can 
fancy  him ;  that  he  is  a  man  of  Fortune,  of  charac- 
ter   &    to    her    agreeable But    there    is    one    She 

regards  more  who  has  left  her,  however,  without 
hope ! 

Teusday  10. 

Yesterday,  in  a  private  lonely  manner,  at  nine  in 
the  morning,  were  married  Mr  Patterson  &  Miss  Amy 
Ewing.  I  wish  them  from  my  heart  a  long,  unbroken, 
&  strong  friendship  for  each  other,  &  mutual,  unmixed 
happiness.  After  breakfast  according  to  a  previous 
appointment,  1  rode  to  Deerfield  Dine  at  M"".* Pecks.  I 
am  ashamed  that  I  may  record  here  what  does  no 
honour  to  my  old  Aunt,  I  saw  her  with  three  Partners 
round  a  Table  playing  Cards  at  that  vulgar  game  fit 

only   for  the    meanest  gamblers    "all   Fours''^ At 

three  I  visited  Miss  Beatty  that  amiable  Girl,  I  always 
see  with  pleasure,  am  happy  where  She  is  &  feel 
uneasy  &  disturbed  always  when  I  must  leave  her. 
Since  June  in  the  year  1770  I  have  had  an  acquaint- 
ance with  her &  since  May  in  the  year  1771  I   have 

happily  had  an  Intimacy.  Her  Goodness  has  at  length 
indulged  my  importunate  Solicitations  &  in  her  Society 

I  hope  to  be  happy I  spent  the  Evening  til  eleven 

with  her,  &  in  the  most  entertaining  manner,  M":  Howel 
&  M":  John  Peck  call'd  in  a  small  Time. 

'  This  game  derives  its  name  from  the  four  chances  therein,  for  each  of 
which  a  point  is  scored  ;  it  is  now  commonly  called  "  Seven-Up." 


164  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  11. 

I  rose  a  little  after  seven.  It  is  not  my  custom  to 
lie  in  bed  so  long,  but  I  was  with  Lazy  Boys,  Reading 
Bcatty,  and  Stephen  Ranney.  M":^  Green  is  better,  but 
Miss  Beatty  says  she  has  the  Hipp Soon  after  break- 
fast I  returned  Home M"".^  Pecks  Family,  M^  Howel, 

&  Miss  Beatty  at  the  same  time  set  out  on  a  visit  to 
M":  Hoshels.  There  came  a  report  to  Day  that  Mf 
Stephen  Reeve  Silver  Smith  of  Philadelphia  is  broken 
up,  &  has  left  the  City ;   disagreeable  News  this  to  his 

Relations  here There  was  an  Ox  killed  this  Day  at 

Bridge-Town  which  weighed  upwards  of  a  thousand 
weight,  supposed  to  be  the  largest  ever  kill'd  in  the 
County. 

TJiursday  12. 

I  wrote  a  chronological  Letter  to  Miss  Beatty. 
Spent  the  Day  at  home.  Feel  pensive  on  leaving 
Cohansie. 

Fry  day  ij. 

I  rode  before  Dinner  to  M":  Hunters.  Andrew  is 
finishing  his  Exercises  for  the  Presbytery — — M"".^  Hun- 
ter advised   me   to   shew    my  Pieces   to   M^  Hu?iter  for 

correction     I  agreed Four  o  Clock  I  rode  to  the 

Bridge,  drank  Tea  with  M":*  Boyd.  They  are  Girls  of 
great  prudence,  &  good  breeding 

Satiirday  i^. 

After  breakfast  I  wrote  a  private  Letter  to  Laura. 
before  Dinner  rode  to  M^  Himters  gave  him  my  Pieces; 
he    examined    them,    made    some    small   alterations,    & 

advised    me  to   present   them    to   the    Presbytery 

Took  my  Leave  of  several  Friends  in  Greenwich. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  165 

Sunday  /j. 

I    wrote    a    Letter   to    D^  Beatt}^   &    a    Letter    to 

Charles  Beatty  ^  of  the  Junior  Class  at  Nassau  Hall 

To   Day  is  the  yearly  Meeting  with   the  Baptists 

Last  Evening  was  the  first  thunder  Gust  we  have  had 
this  Season,  it  was  not  however  Severe.  M":  James 
Ward  was  excommunicated  this  Day  from  our  Church. 

Mo7iday  16. 

We  set  out  for  Philadelphia  from  M":  Hunters  by 
five.     Expence  by  the  way  3/6.     In  Town  by  five. 

Teusday  ij. 

Took  lodgings  at  M?  Cheesmans Expence  for  a 

Register  3/9. Spoke  for  a  mourning  Ring.      Motto 

L  &  H.  ob:  Feb:  1772. 

Met  in   Presbytery  eleven  at  A.  M. Business 

of  last  Session  looked  over,  at  one  adjourn'd  til  three 
at  three  met,  M^  Evans  pronounced  his  first  exer- 
cise a  Sermon,  length  an  hour After  him  Mf  Keith 

produced  his  length  44  Minutes.  Afternoon  I  spent 
several  hours  with  the  Misses  Sprouts 

'  Charles  Clinton  Beatty,  brother  to  Elizabeth  and  Reading  Beatty,  was 
graduated  at  Princeton  in  1775,  and  seems  to  have  early  imbibed  the  principles 
of  liberty,  while  at  that  institution.  Writing  under  date  of  January,  1774,  he 
says  :  "Last  week  to  show  our  patriotism,  we  gathered  all  the  Steward's  win- 
ter store  of  Tea,  and  having  made  a  fire  in  the  Campus,  we  then  burned  near 
a  dozen  pounds,  tolled  the  bell,  and  made  many  spirited  resolves.  But  this 
was  not  all.  Poor  Mr.  (Gov.)  Hutchinson's  Effigy  shared  the  same  fate  with 
the  Tea  ;  having  a  Tea  canister  tied  about  his  neck."  This  was  the  escapade, 
for  his  share  in  which  Samuel  Leake  lost  his  appointment  as  Latin  Salutatorian, 
before  alluded  to  (p.  150,  note  3).  Charles  Beatty  obtained  a  commission  at 
the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  in  a  Pennsylvania  regiment,  probably  Wayne's, 
as  he  was  with  that  officer  on  his  expedition  to  Canada,  in  1776.  He  was  killed 
by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  musket,  in  the  hands  of  a  friend ,  in  the  spring 
of  1776. 


l66  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  r8. 

I  passed  my  first  examination  before  the  Presby- 
tery ;   after  which    I   read  my  thesis  &  Sermon  both  of 

which    were    accepted In   this    examination   I   was 

questioned  on  my  personal  Religion,  &  on  the  Latin,  & 
Greek  Languages.  I  spent  the  evening  at  M^  Arm- 
itages. 

Thursday  ig. 

Waited  on  the  Synod Preparing  to  set  out  to- 
morrow— —Visited  several  Ladies Spent  the  after- 
noon agreeably  with  the  Miss  Holinsheads Evening 

I  visited  Miss  Bedford Waited  on  D^  Witherspoon 

on  Colonel  Carters  &  on  M^  Lowes  account. 

Fry  day  20. 

Before  noon  1  waited  on  the  agreeable  Miss  Debby 
Pratt.  I  spoke  with  Miss  Sally  Boyd.  Afternoon  I 
took    my    Leave    at    M":  McCalla's,    &    M":*   Cheesmans 

where  I  lodge At  six  with   ^\s%  Ruth  Webster,  her 

Sister  Althee,  &  Betsy,  &  Polly  Armitage  I  walked  to  a 
lovely  Garden  near  the  Hospital  call'd   Lebanon,  drank 

some  Mead  &  had  a  most  agreeable  Ramble At  ten 

the  same  Evening  I  entered  on  Board  the  Sivallozu  Cap- 
tain Balinger  for  Cohansie 


Saturday  21. 

I    waked   &   found   myself   only  a  little   below    the 

Fort The  morning  pleasant The  Wind  a  head 

I    wrote   a   Letter   on    Board   to   Johnn}-    Peck   to 

acquaint    him    with    D!:     Witherspoons    Opinion I 

wrote  also  to  Miss  Webster,      About  five  in  the  even- 
ing we  anchored  off  Marcus  Hook,  we  went  on  Shore 
Drank  a  bowl  of  punch  with  M".  Andrew  Ferguson  who 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  167 

has  lately  moved  here He  informed   me  that   two 

young  Gentlemen  of  Fashion  &  Substance  in  Town  are 

making  their  addresses  to  Laura She  is  worthy  the 

Regard  of  the  most  worthy  on  Earth. 

Sunday  22. 

I   found   myself    this   morning  a  few   miles  above 

Port  Penn.      Perfectly  calm I  wrote  a  Letter  this 

morning  to   Miss  Beatty The  Sea  Nymph  Captain 

Blewer  came  in  Sight,  M^  Cook  &  M":  Howel  are  pas- 
sengers  About  twelve  a  Breese  sprung  up  at  South 

&  with  the  Tide  we  entered  our  Creek  by  four,  & 

I  was  at  Home  by  five Spent  the  evening  in  writ- 


Monday  2j. 

Busy  in  getting  ready  to  set  awa3^  Wrote  a  Let- 
ter to  D":  Beatty &  one  to  Miss  Pratt.     The  morning 

warm.  I  took  my  leave  of  the  People  in  town  of  my 
acquaintance  &  set  out  for  Virginia  a  little  after  noon 

Mr  Donaldson   is    very  ill There   are  strange 

and    rediculous    reports    concerning    him That    he 

has  sent  since  his  illness  to  M^.  Ewing  to  be  married  to 
Tempy  Fithian 

Left  Home  about  two  o  Clock at  the  Ferry  by 

five.     The  Boat  is  on  the  other  side Half  after  five 

she  set  off,  the  wind  fair  over  by  half  after  six We 

left  the  shore  at  Seven.     The  wind  light  at  West  North 

West   before   we   were   over  the   wind   fell I    was 

obliged  to  take  to  the  Oar &  pull  like  a  Turk 

The  flood   strong  against  us I    rowed  thus   a  full 

hour My  poor  hands  when  I  got  ashore  were  sore 

enough 1   was  set  ashore  more  than  a  mile  above 

Port  Penn Had  to  ride  down  on  high  rotten   Bank 


l68  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

through  the  dark Once   I   got   mired On   the 

whole  it  has  been  the  worst  adventure  I  have  had  in 

my  travels 1  reached  the  Tavern  in  Port  Penn  by 

half  after  Nine.  Call'd  for  half  a  Gill  of  bitters  to 
qualify  my  humours;  &  a  dish  of  Tea  to  cheer  me,  & 
soon  to  Bed.     Feriage  5/. 

Teusday  24.. 

The  morning  pleasant  &  cool.  Expence  at  Port 
Penn,  3/-  Rode  thence  by  the  Trap  five  miles  thence 
to  middleton  five  miles.  Thence  to  Warwick  four 
miles.  Here  I  breakfasted.  Expence  for  myself  & 
Horse  ///. Thence  I  rode  to  George  Town.  Ex- 
pence   for   Oats -/d<^ Thence   I   rode   to  New-Town 

fifteen    Miles  expence  for 2/ For   having   my 

Coat  altered  in  the  Sleeves  and  Shoulders  2/-    Expence 

for  a  pair  of  black  worsted  Stockings  6/ M":  Stephen 

Reeve  is  in  George  Town  Working  for  Money  to  Gam- 
ble  This  evening   I   feel  more  fatigued  &  dispirited 

than  since  I  first  went  to  Virginia 

Wednesday  2§. 

Expence  at  Newtown  4/9.     Rode  before  Breakfast 

to  Rock-Hall  the  morning  rainy The  Day  calm  & 

(hard  Disappointment)  I  must  stay  til  tomorrow ! 

My  Land-Lord  invited  me  to  a  race  about  four  miles 
off,  &  as  the  day  grew  better  I  went;  the  Purse  was 
fifty  Dollars,  I  was  surprised  to  see  that  almost,  I  think 

quite  one  third  of  the  People  were  in  mourning A 

discouraging  aspect  for  one  who  has  any  intention  to 
settle  in  this  part  of  Maryland,  but  none  to  leave  the 

World Many  who  wore  black  &  scarfs  I  took  notice 

swore  most  desperately! Not  Death  the  formidable 

King  of  terrors  can  frighten  men  from  provoking  God 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  169 

by  Sin ! Afternoon  I  was  troubled   with   a  Tooth 

Ach 1   returned  about  two Laid  down  til  six 

Slept  but  little A  thousand  things  perplex  me, 

I  am  unwilling  to  leave  Home. 1  have  already  over- 
staid  my  Time I  am  vexed  at  having  to  continue 

here I  have  left  the  Girl  I  love 1  am  keeping 

myself  out  of  publick  business O  ten  thousand  diffi- 
culties embarrass  me! Heavenly  Father,  to  thee  in 

trouble  I  fly,  comfort,  sustain,  guide  &  uphold  me 

Evening  Seven  Gentlemen  came  in They  went  to 

Cards 1  to  Bed Troubled  much  with  a  Tooth 

Ach 


Thursday  26. 

Slept    but    little Breakfasted Set    off    at 

seven four  in  company  expence  26/6.     Arrived  at 

Annopolis Bought  at  Annopolis  a  pair  of  buckles 

2/9.      Expence   -/lo'' Left    Annapolis    at    five    for 

Marlborough Ferriage  -/6^ Rode    to    a    point 

of   Patuxen  22  Miles Tooth  Ach  still  troubles  me 

In  Bed  by  eleven,  tired  and  discouraged! 

Fry  day  2y. 

Expence  at  this  little  Town  2/9 Ferriage  a  full 

mile  up  the  River  Patuxen  i/.  Rode  from  the  River 
to  upper  Marlborough  three  miles  thence  without  stop- 
ping to  Piscatuway  15  miles Here  I  dined My 

pain  has  wholly  left  me Two  young  Ladies  Daugh- 
ters of  the  Landlady,  rather  gay  &  noisy  than  discreet, 
very  forward  in  discourse,  both  in  Love  with  Scotch 
Merchants  &   both   willing   to   be   talked   to,    gave   me 

much  Diversion Expence  here  3/4 Rode  thence 

in  the  Evening  to  Port  Tobacco  15  miles.  Staid  here 
the  night For  company  all  the  night  in  my  Room  I 


I70  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

had   Bugs  in  every  part  of  my  Bed  — —  &  in  the  next 
Room  several  noisy  Fellows  playing  at  Billiards. 

Saturday  28. 

Left  Port  Tobacco  by  six,  rode  to  M":^  Laidlers 
Ferr3^  At  Port  Tobacco  expence  3/10.  12  Miles 
Breakfasted  with  M":^  Laidler  Breakfast  &  Oats  1/7 
Ferriage  6/-  The  broad  beautiful  Potowraack  looks 
smooth  &  unbroken  as  tho'  it  was  fettered  in  Ice;  it  is 
to  where  we  land  on  the  other  Side  eight  miles  a  little 
down  the  River     the  passage  over,  in  the  best  time  of 

this    loveliest    month    was    vastly   agreeable From 

Tylers  in  Virginia  where  I  landed  about  twelve  o-Clock 
I  rode  to  Mattox  Bridge  eight  miles;  thence  to  Mattox 

Church  six  miles Here  I  bought  some  Ears  of  corn 

for  my  Horse Thence  to  Westmorland  Court  House 

16   miles Here  is  a  Tavern  I  got  a  Bowl  of  Punch 

&   fed    2/6 Thence   I   rode    to   Nomini    Hall   about 

Eight   in   the   Evening   10  miles 1   found   M^  &   M"? 

Carter  at  home  sitting  together They  received  me 

with  great  welcome Ben,  Bob,  Miss  Fanny  &  Betsy 

came  in  to  see  me The  others  in  bed sup'd  on 

Crrt^j- &  an  elegant  dish  of  Strawberries  &  cream 

How  natural,   how  agreeable,  how  majestic  this  place 
seems! 

Sunday  2g. 

I   rose  by  half  after  six Ben  informed  me  that 

Bob    has    behaved   vastly   ill  since   I    left    him He 

has  reported  several  mischievous  &  false  stories  of  his 
brother;    that   has  been   intimate  in  some  bad   families 

That  he  has  injured  his  own  fathers  Servants  &c 

The  morning  pleasant 1  did  not  attend  Church, 

Ben  out  of  kindness  kept  me  company  at  Home I 


NoRTHKRN  Neck  ok  Vik(;ixia 


(From  chart  of   X'irginia  \n  Jeff e/s oil's  Xnfi's  18011 


LiJUiJii 


this  p 


—  J 


E 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  1 71 

had   however  chosen  to  stay  alone The   family  is 

invited  to  dine  with  M^  Turburville M^  &  M":*  Car- 
ter, Miss  Priscilla  &  Nancy  with  three  Servants  went 

from  Church Ben,  Bob,  Miss  Fanny,  Betsy  &  Harriot 

with    two   Servants    cross'd    the    River Miss  Sally 

with  Tasker  &  one  Servant  rode  in  a  Chair Dined 

with   us  Captain   Dennis,  of  the   Ship   Peggy;    Yil  Stcp- 

toc ;^  &   M";  Cunningliani.      Politicks  were  the  topic 

and  indeed  the  Gentlemen  seemed  warm The  Gov- 
ernor of  this  Province  dissolved  the  Assembly  last 
week  after  they  had  made  a  resolve  that  a  general  & 
solemn  fast  be  observed  thro'  this  whole  Colony,  on 
Account  of  the  melancholy  aspect  of  American  Affairs 
at  present,  to  be  kept  the  first  day  of  June,  which  is 
next  Wednesday,  when  the  alarming  act  of  Parliament 
which  has  latel}-  come  over  is  to  take  place  at  Bos- 
ton^  Parson  Smith  accordingly  gave  it  out  at  the 

Church  to  Day  &  it  is  to  be  observed I  only  saw 

Miss  Sally  Panton,  she  did  not  dine  with  us 1  am 

told  she  has  an  Estate  in  England  of  50;^  Sterling 
pr.  Annum,  but   for  some  unknown   cause  came  over, 

probably  the    same  as   drew   me   from   home After 

dinner  we  had  a  Grand  &  agreeable  Walk  in  &  through 

the  Garden There  is  great  plenty  of  Strawberries, 

some  Cherries,   Gooseberries  &c Drank  Coffee  at 

'  A  brother-in-law  of  Philip  Ludwell  Lee. 

^  The  Boston  Port  Bill  went  into  operation  on  June  i,  1774.  On  May 
24,  1774,  the  Virginia  House  of  Burgesses  passed  a  resolution  expressing 
sympathy  with  the  people  of  Boston,  and  declaring  it  "  highly  necessary  that 
the  said  first  day  of  June  next  be  set  apart  by  the  members  of  this  house  as  a 
day  of  fasting,  humiliation  and  prayer,  devoutly  to  implore  the  Divine  inter- 
position for  averting  the  heavy  calamity  which  threatens  destruction  to  our 
civil  rights,  and  the  evils  of  civil  war."  In  consequence  of  this  act.  Governor 
Dunmore  on  the  following  day  dissolved  the  house.  (Am.  Hist.  Review,  Vol. 
5,  No.  2,  309,  n.  I.) 


172  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

four,  they  are  now  too  patriotic  to  use  tea Soon 

after  we  set  out  for  Home The  young  Ladies  chose 

to  walk  and  Cross  the  water  with  us I  am  much 

more  pleas'd  with  the   Face  of  the  Country  since  my 

return   than  I  have  ever  been  before It  is  indeed 

delightsome ! 

Monday  jo. 

Our  little  beautiful  Seminary  collected.  They 
seem  all  glad  to  see  me,  &  willing  to  enter  on  busi- 
ness  I  am  truely  fond  of  the  young  growing  beau- 
ties  Soon  they  will  be  the  admiration  of  the  world, 

&  ornaments  in  their  family This  morning  I  asked  & 

received  four  Guineas  of  M^  Carter  to  satisfy  M^  Tay- 
lor of  whom  I  had  a  small  Sum.  M":  Randolph  is  yet 
here,  &  is  recovered  of  the  hurt  I  formerly  mentioned 

After  Dinner  my  Toast  was  the  amiable  Laura 

Evening  called  in  &  staid  only  a  few  minutes  Captain 

Dennis   &    Parson    Gibbern At   Supper   I    had   an 

agreeable  conversation  with  M^  &  M":^  Carter  on  the 
Times  manners,  &c. 

Teusday  ji. 

Very  warm 1  feel  well  reliev'd  of  the  Fatigues 

of  my  ride The  lower  Class  of  People  here  are  in  a 

tumult  on  the  account  of  Reports  from  Boston,  many 
of  them  expect  to  be  press'd  &  compelled   to  go   and 

fight  the  Britains! Evening  I   asked  the  Colonel  if 

he  proposes  to  observe  the  fast,  &  attend  Sermon  to- 
morrow;   he   answered  that    "No  one   must  go   from 

hence  to  Church,  or  observe   the  fast  at  all" By 

this,  (for  it  is  hard  to  know  his  opinion  from  any  thing 

he  declares)  I  conclude  he  is  a  courtier Last  Night, 

&  this  evening   the   Colonel   sup'd   with   us,    which   is 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  173 

more  than  he  has  done  before  since  I  have  been  in  the 
Family 

Wednesday  June  n' ,  1774. 

Cool  &  pleasant I  began  my  English  Exegesis 

or  Thesis. 


Thursday  2. 

I  took  out  of  the  Colonels  Library  for  Assistance 
in  making  my  pieces  Biblia-Sacra,  &  M":  Hammonds 
Exposition  of  the  New  Testament.  I  toasted  Miss 
Bcatty  to  day  in  a  Bumpper  of  old  Madaira Even- 
ing M^  Carter  at  the  Harpsichord. 

Fry  day  j. 

The  dancing  School  happens  in  course  to  day  at 

M":  Washingtons^ M":*  Carter  takes  j5^^  &  Nancy  with 

her Our   School   seems   silent Writing  at  my 

English   Thesis I   put  Harry  &  Bob  this  week  to 

read  Popes  Homer  but  Homers  inimitable  fire  cannot 

charm   or  move  them ! Evening  Ben    rode   to   the 

Dance We  were  informed  that  in  Queen-Anns  in 

Maryland  many  die  at  present,  of  a  Fever  that  follows 

a  slight  Ague ! I  took  a  Ramble,  in  the  evening, 

as  usual,  through  the  Garden. 

Sat  11  r day  4. 

The  day  cool  &  agreeable I  kept  the  children 

in    til    twelve   tho'  with  great  difificulty ;    the}'  were  for 
asserting  their  liberty.   &   pleaded   the  custom  of   last 

winter 1    finished    a    rough   incorrect    plan    of    my 

English  Thesis,  &  laid  it  by  for  future  examination 

After  dinner  I  begun  the  Lecture,  wrote  an  introduc- 

'  John  Augustine  Washington  of  Bushfield. 


174  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

tion Towards  evening  I   took  my  hat  &  a  sermon, 

&  retired  to  a  Shady  Green  where  I  rambled  about  til 

dusk  committing  my  Sermon  to  memory We  have 

omitted  Supper,  &  in  its  place  substituted  Coffee  which 

we    commonly   take    about  seven    in    the    evening 

Ben,  this  Afternoon  rode  to  Colonel  Frank  Lee's.  The 
gi-ound  is  ver)^  dry;  The  Frost  of  the  fourth  of  May 
has  been  much  more  severe  and   fatal  here  than  in  the 

northern    colonies The    peaches    here,    except    on 

Farms  lying  near  the  Potowmack  are  wholly  destroy'd, 
and  these  were  the  choicest  expectation  of  some,  who 

think  Brandy  their  most  valuable  commodity! And 

I  am  told  that  in  Louden,  &  the  other  upper  counties, 
(which  indeed  are  the  best  for  grain)  Wheat  &  Rice  are 
cut  off,  so  intirely  that  the  owners  mow  it  down  for 
fodder!  — - — And  in  these  lower  Counties  in  many 
places  the  Woods  appear  like  November,  &  the  Leaves 

are  actually  dropping! To  be  sure  it  is  unusual  & 

melanchol}' ! ■ 

Sunday  j. 

The   weather   cool  &   agreeable Sermon   is   to 

Day  at  Ucomico,  at  the  lower  church,  I  choose  there- 
fore to  stay  in  my  Room How  pleasant  is  retire- 
ment!     And  how  easy  it  is  to  enjoy  it This  may 

seem  strange,  but  it  is  true 1  have  but  very  few 

acquaintances,  &  they  easily  dispence  with  my  Absence 

I    have   an   elegant  inviting   apartment   for   Study 

I  have  plenty  of  valuable  &  entertaining  Books 

And  1  have  business  of  my  own  that  requires  my  atten- 
tion  x-\t   Home   my   Relations  call   me   proud    and 

morose  if  I  do  not  visit  them My  own  private  busi- 
ness often  calls  me  off  &  unsettles  my  mind There 

too  lives  the  Girl  who  has  subdued  my  heart! All 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  175 

these  put  together,  when  they  operate  at  once,  are  a 
strong  incitement  to  divert  me  from  Study-  Vet  I 
love  Cohansie!  And  in  spite  of  my  resolution,  when 
I  am  convinced  that  my  situation  is  more  advantageous 

here,    yet    I    wish    to    be    there How   exceedingly 

capricious  is  fancy  I  When  1  am  Home  I  then  seem 
willing  to  remove,  for  other  places  seem  full  as  desir- 
able  It   is  then  Society    which  makes  places  seem 

agreeable  or  the  Contrarj^ It  can  be  nothing  else 

Adam  when  he  had  no  troublesome  painful  thoughts 
within  him ;  and  had  a  flowery  Paradise  for  his  habita- 
tion &  enjoyment,  was  not  yet  fully  happy  while  he 
possessed  it  alone ;  much  less  can  we  his  offspring, 
frail,  &  variable,  enjoy  much  sattisfaction  without  inter- 
course   with    one   another 1    have    just    spoken    in 

praise  of  Society  &  retirement ,  And  I  now  observe 
we  are  of  siich  a  make  that,  if  we  be  happy,  these  must 

alternately  succeed  each  other It  is  something  like 

the  opinion  of  Socrates  concerning  pleasure  &  pain,  that 
if   we  possess   the  one,  we   may  expect  it   will  not  be 

long  before  we  shall  meet  with  the  other Towards 

evening  At  M":^  Carters  request  I  waited  on  Miss  Pris- 
cilla,  Nancy,  &  Fanny  who  rode  on   Horse-back  for  an 

airing Wrote    a    Letter    to   the   Rev^   M^   Andrew 

Hunter,  Cohansie  New  Jersey In  the  evening  Ben 

returned  full  of  news  of  Boston,  that  we  must  fight  that 
the  troops  are  arrived  &  impudent  &c.  &c. 

Monday  6. 

M^  Carter  rode  to  richmond  court At  Dinner  I 

had  a  long  and  useful  conversation  with  M':^  Carter 
She  told  me  openly  &  candidly  the  Several  failings  of 
her  Children,  and  indeed  She  knows  them  perfectly 
In   particular  she  knows  not  what  to  do  with   her 


IJO  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

perverse  Son  Bob He  abuses  his  Mama,  Miss  Sally, 

the  children,  Family,  and  is  much  given  to  slander. 
Poor  unhapp}'  youth,  1  fear  he  will  come  to  an  unhappy 
end !      This   afternoon    I    found   it   necessary  to  correct 

Bob  severely  for  impertinence  in  School M^  Carter 

at  Court  received  his  Invoice  from  London  for  this 
Spring,  in  which  was  a  gold  Seal  for  Ben  with  a  Coat 
of  Arms  price  five  Guineas! 

Teusday  7. 

The  morning  pleasant,  cool  &  agreeable I  cor- 
rected   tjarry  this   morning  for  telling  me   a   Lie 


Stomachful  &   sullen  as  any  youth The  day  warm 

but   very   bearable Breakfasted   with   us   M":  Blain 

&  M^  Warden,  all  the  conversation  is  Politicks;  But 
People  seem  moderate  &  yet  settled  in  their  determina- 
tion to  stand  out. 

Wednesday  8. 

The  morning  pleasant ]NL  Carter  rode   to   the 

Ucomiko  Ware-houses  to  examine  in  the  Shipping  some 

of   his  Tobacco We  have  no  Company.     The  day  is 

very  warm A  flaming  sultry  Sun,  a  dusty  scorched 

Ground,  M"!  Carter  returned,  the  day  being  smoky 
introduced,  at  Coffee,  a  conversation  on  Philosoph}-, 
on  Eclipses;  the  manner  of  reviewing  them;  Thence 
to  Telescopes,  &  the  information  which  they  afford  us 
of  the  Solar  System;  Whether  the  planets  be  actually 
inhabited  &c. 

Thursday  g. 

The  morning  is  hazy,  no  Wind,  &  very  warm 


I    wrote   a   Letter   to   Uncle    Samuel  Fithian After 

Dinner  M^  Carter  set  out  for  Williamsburg by  him 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  177 

I  sent  to  the   Post-oflfice  at  Hobbes-Hole,  My  Letters  to 

Ml  Hunter,   Uncle  Fit/iiaii,    W\ss  B catty.  8a  Ml  Peck 

After  School  in  the  evening  1  had  an  ag-reeable  walk 
with  M"?  Carter  in  the  Garden 

Fry  day  lo. 

Cool  but  exceeding  dry Writing  at  my  Lec- 
ture.    Mj?   Carter    was    to    day   sadly   frighted   with    a 

Lizard,  that  lives  under  the   House After  School, 

with  Ben  I  walked  over  to  M^  Turburville's  to  gather 

Cheries,  which  are  there  in  great  plenty M"'.'  Carter 

in  the  evening  after  our  return,  gave  me  a  Lecture  for 
taking  Ben  to  Annapolis  when  I  went  last  Home  with- 
out a  waiting-Man Wrote  at  my  Lecture  til  eleven, 

Ben  sleeps  at  the  Great-House  in  the  absence  of  his 
Papa. 

Saturday  ii. 

I    was    sitting  in   the   Colonels   Library    I    took  a 

Catalogue  of  the  whole  of  His  Books^ ...  &  he  tells 

me  he  has  left  behind  him  at  Williamsburg,  with  many 
other  things  458  Volumes  besides  Music  &  Pamphlets. 

It  is  with  considerable  Difficulty  that  I  keep  the 
Children  in  School  til  twelve  o-Clock  as  they  used  to 
go  out  all  the  last  winter  at  Breakfast ^t**^  espec- 
ially   is    vastly    vociferous    on    the    Occasion Our 

Bells  for  School  &  play-Hours  are  at  present  under 
good  Regulations.  The  Children  come  in  as  soon  as 
they  rise  and  are  Drest  which  is  usually  about  seven 

the  Bell  rings  at  eight  for  Breakfast At  nine 

it  Rings  for  two  purposes;   for  the  Children  to  enter 

'  Here  occurs  a  list  of  the  books,  comprising  89  volumes  folio,  76  quarto, 
378  octavo,  and  502  duodecimo,  which,  with  the  458  volumes  at  Williamsburg, 
gives  a  total  of  1503. 


178  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

School,  &  for  the  Gardiners,  Carpenters,  &  other  work- 
men to  come  into  Breakfast At  ten  it  Rings  them 

to  work.     At  twelve  it  rings  for  the  School  play-hours 

At   two  it  rings  for  us   to  Dine,  &   the    workmen 

And  the  last  bell  is  at  three  for  School  &  for  the 

workmen  to  go  to  Labour 1  dismiss  them  by  my 

watch  at  half  after  Five After  Dinner  1  rode  alone 

to  M^  Blains  Store;  bought  a  pen-knife,  nine  Jacket- 
Buttons,  &  a  primmer  for  Miss  Harriot  j/.  It  is 
alarming  to  observe  how  hard,  &  dusty  the  Country  is; 
towards  evening  some  clouds  arose  &  looked  promising 

in  the  West,  but  they  bring  no  rain No  rain    has 

fell  here  since  the  24'^  of  May,  &  then  but  a  Scanty 
Shower,  &  most  of  the  time  since  windy. 

Sunday  12. 

Ben  &  M^  Randolph  had  a  small  wrangle  about 
Horses:  The  Day  is  vastly  hot,  the  wind  small  at 
West,   clear  &  very    Dry    I   choose   therefore   to   stay 

at  Home 1  lent  my  Horse  to  Ben,  &  staid  myself  at 

Home  to  write  my  Lecture,  M":^  Carter,  the  two  Misses, 
and  Ben  went  to  Church.       M^  Randolph  went  on  Board 

Captain  Blackwells  Ship  to  dine Bob  pleaded  hard 

with   me   for   Leave   to  go   on   board   the   Ship,    but   I 

kept  him  at  home  with  me Evening  I   finished  my 

Lecture  &  laid  it  by  for  future  examination.  Some 
Clouds  and  Lightning  in  the  west  but  no  rain. 

Monday  ij. 

Ben  gave  Bob  for  some  imprudent  Language  a  drub- 
bing  this  morning About  nine  we  had   a   Shower 

but  soon  over  &  of  little  use ;  thanks  be  to  God,  how- 
ever, that  we  have  any 1  begun,  to  day  my  Sermon 

for    the    Presbytery The    change    in    the    weather 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  1/9 

since  yesterday  is  remarkable.  This  afternoon  is  so 
cool  that  I  should  be  glad  of  a  winter  suit •  yester- 
day afternoon  was  so  hot  I  could  not  be  comfortably 
cool  in  a  thin  gown,  with  all  the  windows  of  my  cham- 
ber up.     Evening,  John  the  waiting  Man  play'd,  &  the 

young  Ladies  spent  the  evening  merril}*  in  dancing 

I  staid  til  ten,  saw  them  &  conversed  with  Mr»  Carter. 

TcHsday  77. 

I  added  last  night  to  my  Bed-Clothes  a  Quilt, 
Blanket,  &.  my  own   Clothes  and   lay  under   them  all, 

none   too    warm The  children  call'd  for  a   Fire  in 

the  School-Room,  &  were  so  cold  I  was  obliged  to  dis- 
miss  them    before    the    Bell 1   believe   there    is   no 

Frost Before    Breakfast,    Mt  Stadley  the    musician 

came  from  Colonel  Tayloes  at  mount  Airy. 

Miss  Priscilla  &  Nancy  attended  his  instructions. 
M^  Stadley  shewed  me  some  Verses  he  is  carrying  from 
M":  Washington  to  his  Daughter  they  seem  good  and 
are  as  follows. 

A  Hymn  for  a  dying  Believer. 

ist     Happy  Soul  thy  Days  are  ended. 
All  thy  mourning  Days  below, 
Go  by  Angel-Guards  attended 
To  the  Sight  of  Jesus,  go. 

2^     Waiting  to  receive  my  Spirit, 
Lo  thy  Saviour  stands  above. 
Shews  the  purchase  of  his  merit 
Reaches  out  the  Crown  of  Love. 

3d     For  the  Joy  he  Sets  before  thee 
Bear  a  momentary  pain, 
Die  to  live  the  Life  of  Glory 
Suffer,  with  thy    Lord  to  reign. 


l8o  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Spent  the  evening  very  agreeably  with  M":*  Carter 
&  Mr  Stadley,  we  sat  about  a  good  Fire  in  the  Dining- 
Room,  and  it  seems  as  necessary  &  agreeable  as  in 
November  or  December 

Wednesday  /j. 

So  cold  that  I  ordered  a  Fire  in  the  School-Room 
M":  Stadley  with  us  yet 1  took  out  of  the  Lib- 
rary to  read  for  entertainment  the  "  Amusement  of  the 

German  Spa  ;    it  is  a  well  written  piece Designed 

entirely  for   Amusement      Before   dinner   M^   Tayloe, 
with  her  two  Daughters  Miss  Polly,  &  Kitty  came  in 

a  Chariot Bob  was   in  a  moment  on   Fire;    He  is 

deeply  Smitten  with  Folly's  Charms beg'd  me  for 

Leave  to  go  out  of  School  &  dress I  allow'd  him, 

The  Day  was  vastly  windy  &  the  drouth  is  alarming ! 

Close  Attention  for  two  weeks  past  has  fatigued 

me   so  much,  that  yesterday,  and  to  Day  I  have  laid 

aside  Study,  &  read  only  for  Relaxation 1  took  a 

whim  in  my  head  &  would  not  go  to  Dinner,  my  Head 
was  not  dress'd  &  I  was  too  lazy  to  change  my  clothes 

M":*    Carter,    however,    in    the   evening    lash'd    me 

severely.      I  told  her  I  was  engaged  in  reading  a  pleas- 
ant Novel, That  I  was  not  perfectly  well— — But 

She  would  not  hear  none,  &  said  I  was  rude,  &  censur- 
able   M":  Stadley  spent  the  evening  in  playing  several 

songs  &  Sonata's  on  the  Harpsichord  &  Violin 

TJmrsday  16. 

M\  Stadley  left  us  before  Breakfast Reading  at 

the  Amusement  of  Spa Drew  ofif  some  Tunes 

Fry  day  ij. 

Bob  was  missing  last  night  I  was  at  his  Room 
at  twelve  o  Clock  he  was  absent This  morning  I 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  l8l 

examined  him,  he  told  me  he  was  at  M^  Turburville's, 
but  told  me  several  palpable  Lies 1  Gave  him  how- 
ever severe  correction We  had  this  morning  about 

5  o  Clock  a  smart  Gust  of  wind,  Rain  &  Thunder,  but 
soon  over. 

Saturday  i8. 

Ben  not  very  well At  twelve  Bob  teaz'd  me  for 

leave  to  go  to  a  Cock-Fight  &  Horse-Race  about  two 
Miles  off,  I  gave  him  leave   with   his  promising  to  be 

home    by   Sun    Set. Spent    the    Afternoon    in    my 

room  writing Towards  evening  'Squire  Lee  call'd 

in,  &  brought  a  late  London  News  Paper  in  which  we 
are  informed  that  another  Act  of  Parliament  has  pass'd 
taking  from  the  People  of  Boston  all  power  of  trying 
any  Soldier,  or  Person  whether  for  commiting  any 
Crime :   &  obliging  all  such  offenders  to  be  sent  home 

for  legal  TryaP Heaven  only   knows  where   these 

tumults  will   End! He   informed    us    likewise    that 

last  Saturda}^  in  Richmond  (our  neighbour  County)  the 
people  drest  &  burnt  with  great  marks  of  Detestation 

the    infamous    Lord    North M"!^    Carter,    after   the 

'Squire  left  us  quite  astonished  me  in  the  Course  of 
the  evening,  with  her  perfect  acquaintance  with  the 
American  Constitution 

Sunday  ig. 

The  day  cool Sermon  is  at  Ucomiko,  so  that 

we  all  stay  at  Home  M^=  Carter  was  in  the  morning 
frightened  thinking  that  several  of  the  Negro-Girls  in 
the  Family  are  unwell  with  the  Measles,  but  I  believe 
it  to  be  only  a  Frett  of  the  Heat  Ben  is  unwel;  He 
has  a   sick   Stomach;    at   Times   aguish;    complains  of 

'  14  Geo.  in.  c.  3g. 


l82  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Pains  in  his  Breast  &  Side ;  &  in  the  morning  Spits 
Blood.     He  keeps  about  however,  but  his  fond  Mama 

discovers  great  anxiety 

I  spend  the  Day  in  my  Room  writing  at  my  Ser- 
mon, &  reading  the  plain  &  useful  Pictete. 

Monday  20. 

So  cool  that  I  sit  with  my  Cloths  buttoned,  & 
am  chilly,  the  children  also  complain  of  the  cold ;  this 
must  certainly  be  unwholesome  weather Break- 
fasted with  us  M^  Cox Ben  continues  no  better,  he 

lays  by  Study  to  day  &  keeps  in 1   myself  either 

conceit  or  in  reality  have  a  Fever  &  head-Ach  to  Day 

Before  twelve  we  had  a  moderate  Shower  no  wind 

nor  Thunder M":^  Carter  wrote  a  note   to   Dl  Jones 

&  Desired  him  to  call  &  See  Ben,  towards  evening 
he   came;    He  thinks  Ben   has   only   Symptoms   of   an 

Agu  approaching He  prescribed  some  Physick 

Drank  Coffee  with  us,  &  went  home  about  six It 

lightens  in  the  North. 

Teusday  21. 

Harry  is  unwel,  takes   this  morning   Physick,  and 

keeps  his  Room Ben  is  in  the  same  way Pris- 

cilla  &  Nancy  are  practising  Musick,  so  that  to  Day  we 

have  only  four  in   School KX.  five  in  the   Evening, 

Ben,  Prissy  &  I  rode  out  on  Horse  back  for  exercise; 
before  we  returned  Captain  Dobby,  of  the  Ship  Susan- 
nah an  agreeable,  sensible,  polite   Gentleman   came  & 

'Squire   Lee The    conversation,   at   Coffee   was   on 

American  affairs,  the  'Squire  shew'd  us  one  of  Mr  Dun- 
laps^  papers  in  which  are  accounts  that  the    Northern 

^John   Dunlap   established,    in    1771,    The   Pennsylvania   Packet;   this 
became,  in  1784,  the  first  daily  paper  in  the  United  States. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  183 

Colonies  are  zealous  &  steadfast  in  resolutions  to  main- 
tain their  Liberties We  sat  til  eleven. 

Wednesday  22. 

Breakfasted  with  us  Captain  Dobby,  &  M":  Taylor, 

their  conversation  promiscuous Clear  &  warm,  not 

sultry,   Harry  better  &  in   School,   but  Ben   continues 

indisposed.     I   wrote  to  Day  some  at  my  Sermon 

After  School,  with   M":?  Carter  &  the  young  Ladies  & 

Bob,  I  walked  through  the  Garden But  I  seem  not 

suited  in  being  confin'd  wholly  at  Home,  yet  my  stay  is 
quite  voluntary 

Thursday  2j. 

Very   warm  all   the  morning From  twelve  to 

two  1   was  writing  at  my  Sermon While  we  were 

at  dinner  a  very  black  cloud  rose  in  the  West :  M?  Car- 
ter, is  fearful  when  it  thunders,  so  that  I  did  not  leave 
the  Room  till  it  was  over,  about  four,  there  was  a 
strong  Gale  of  wind,  some  thunder,  &  a  refreshing 
Shower.  At  five  with  M?  Carter  &  the  young  Ladies 
I  took  a  walk;   She  shewed  me  from  a  high  Hill  several 

beautiful   Prospects 1    was   diverted   tho   it   was  a 

little  cruel,  to  see  the  Girls  gather  the  Blossoms  of 
some  Pricky-Pears. 

Fry  day  2^. 

Last   night  we   had   a  Gust  of   Rain  &  Thunder; 

very   acceptable To  Day  in   course  M^  Christians 

Dance    happens    here He    came    before    Breakfast 

^\\?,%  Jenny  Washington^  came  also,  &  Miss  Priscilla 

'  Probably  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Augustine  Washington  and  Hannah 
Bushrod,  and  a  niece  of  Gen.  George  Washington.  She  subsequently  married 
her  cousin,  Col.  William  Augustine  Washington. 


l84  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Hale  while  we  were  at  Breakfast Miss  Washington 

is  about  seventeen;   She  has  not  a  handsome  Face,  but 
is  neat  in  her  Dress,  of  an  agreeable  Size,  &  well  pro- 
portioned, and  has  an  easy  winning  Behaviour ;   She  is 
not  forward  to  begin  a  conversation,  yet  when  spoken  to 
she  is  extremely  affable,  without  assuming  any  Girlish 
affectation,  or  pretending  to  be  overcharg'd  with  Wit; 
She   has  but  lately   had  oppertunity  of  Instruction  in 
Dancing,    yet    She    moves    with    propriety    when    she 
dances  a  Minuet  &  without  any  Flirts  or  vulgar  Capers, 
when  She  dances  a  Reel  or  Coiaitry- Dance  :  She  plays 
well  on  the   Harpsichord,   &   Spinet;   understands  the 
principles  of  Musick,  &  therefore  performs  her  Tunes 
in  perfect  time,  a  Neglect  of  which  always  makes  music 
intolerable,   but   it  is  a  fault  almost   universal  among 
young   Ladies  in   the   practice;    She  sings   likewise  to 
her  instrument,  has  a  strong,  full  voice,  &  a  well-judg- 
ing Ear;    but  most  of  the  Virginia-Girls  think  it  labour 
quite   sufficient  to  thump  the   Keys  of  a  Harpsichord 
into  the  air  of  a  tune  mechanically,  &  think  it  would 
be   Slavery   to   submit  to   the   Drudgery  of   acquiring 
Vocal  Music;   Her  Dress  is  rich  &  well-chosen,  but  not 
tawdry,  nor  yet  too  plain ;   She   appears  to  Day  in  a 
Chintz   cotton   Gown    with   an   elegant   blue   Stamp,    a 
Sky-Blue   silk   Quilt,   spotted    Apron;    Her   Hair  is  a 
light  Brown,  it  was  crap'd  up,  with  two  Rolls  at  each 
Side,  and  on  the  top  a  small  cap  of  beautiful  Gauze  and 

rich  Lace,  with  an  artificial  flower  interwoven Her 

person  &  carriage  at  a  small  distance  resembles  notja 
little  my  much  respected  Lajira.  But  on  close  exam- 
ination her  Features  are  something  masculine,  those  of 
Lajira  are  mild  and  delicate.  M^  CJiristien  very  politely 
requested  me  to  open  the  Dance  by  stepping  a  Minuet 
with  this  amiable  Girl,  but  I   excused  myself  by  assur- 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  185 

ing  Him  that  I  never  was  taught  to  Dance. Miss 

Hale  is  about  fourteen;  a  slim,  puny  silent  Virgin; 
She  has  black  Eyes,  &:  black  Hair,  a  good  sett  of  Eye- 
Brows,  which  are  esteem'd  in  Virginia  essential  to 
Beaut}' ;  She  looks  innocent  of  every  human  Failing, 
does  not  speak  five  Words  in  a  Week,  &  I  dare  say 
from  her  Character  that  her  Modesty  is  invincible;  She 
is  drest  in  a  white  Holland  Gown,  cotton  Diaper  Quilt 
very  fine,  a  Lawn  apron,  has  her  Hair  crap'd  up,  &  on 
it  a  small  Tuft  of  Ribbon  for  a  Cap.  She  is  but  just 
innitiated  into  the  School,  and  only  hobbles  yet  Once 
I  saw  her  standing;  I  rose  immediately  and  begg'd  her 
to  accept  my  Chair;  She  answered  most  kindly.  "Sir 
I  thank  you,"  that  was  all  I  could  extract  from  this 
Wonder  of  her  Sex  for  the  two  Days  she  stay'd,  &  I 
seemed  to  have  an  equal  Share  too  in  the  Favours  of 
her  Conversation  ;  so  that  I  cannot  be  any  way  particu- 
lar in  describing  the  mental  faculties  of  Miss  Hale,  it  is 
sufficient  to  say  that  I  think  she  is  far  removed  from 

most  of   the   foibles  of    Women Some   time   after 

these    came    Colonel    Lee's    Chariot    with     five    young 

Misses These  five,  with  Miss  Washington  &  Miss 

Hale,  &  Miss  Nancy  Carter,  «&  Bob  are  M":  Christiens 
Compliment  of  Scholars  in  this  School  except  Miss 
Turburville  who  is  just  now  up  the  country  with  an 
Uncle,  where  she  is  to  Stay  some  time  together  with 
Miss  Corbin^  Miss  Betsy  Lee^  is  about  thirteen;  a 
tall  slim  genteel  Girl;   She  is  very  far  from  Miss  Hale's 

'Jane  Corbin  and  her  niece,  Lettice,  daughter  of  John  Turberville  of 
Hickory  Hill.  The  uncle  referred  to  was  Gawin  Corbin  of  "Yew  Spring," 
Caroline  County,  a  member  of  the  Council  in  1775,  and  who  married,  in  1776, 
Betsy,  daughter  of  Thomas  Jones  of  Northumberland  County. 

^  Presumably  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Lee  of  Essex,  a  nephew  of 
President  Thomas  Lee. 


l86  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

taciturnity,  yet  is  by  no  means  disagreeably  forward; 
She  dances  extremely  well,  &  is  just  beginning  to  play 
the  Spinet  She  is  drest  in  a  neat  shell  Callico  Gown, 
has  very  light   Hair  done  up   with  a  Feather,  &   her 

whole  carriage  is  easy  inoffensive,  &  graceful The 

other  Miss  Lee's  are  small.  Towards  evening  came  in 
George  Lee,  &  M^  Grubb,  an  English  Gentleman ;  the 
Company  danced  after  candle-light  a  Minuet  round, 
three  Country-Dances,  several  Reels,  when  we  were 
rung  to  Supper  after  Supper  we  set  til  twelve  drink- 
ing loyal  Toasts 

Saturday  2^. 

Ben  &  I  slept  til  eight we  breakfasted  at  nine, 

soon  after  Christien  collected  his  School  and  gave  them 

a  Lesson  round About  ten  the  two  Gentlemen  left 

us.      They   quit   Dancing  about  two After   Dinner 

M?  Carter  &  the  young  Ladies,  with  M":  CJiristien  Ben 
&  myself  walked  in  the  garden,  &  through  the  Pasture, 
There  are  several  beautiful  prospects  of  the  green  Bot- 
toms, &  of  the  River  Nomini  from  the  High  hills 

By  Miss  Washington  I  wrote  a  letter  to  M":  Lowe, 
acquainting  him  with  what  was  done  for  him  in  the 
business  he  sent  by  me  to  Philadelphia.  The  Day 
is  cool,  &   intirely  agreeable  &  the   Ground   has  been 

refreshed  by  a  Shower  or  two  lately 1  am  told  that 

the  people  are  already  reaping  not  only  Rye  but  Wheat 
in  the  Neighbourhood;  certainly  it  is  earlier  than  we 
reap  to  the  Northward. 

Sunday  26. 

M^  Smith  to  Day  is  out  of  the   Parish  so  that  we 

have  no  sermon I  shut  up  myself  therefore  in  my 

chamber  to  reading Eleven   1   am   sent  for  to   see 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  1 8/ 

Mr  Lowe   who  is  come 1  invite  him  to  my  Room, 

where   we  sit  til  Dinner He  informed   me   of   the 

Manner  of  Trials  in  Scotland,  which  Candidates  under- 
go. It  is  similar,  &  indeed  almost  the  same,  as  with 
our  Presbytery  Evening  M^  Carter  returned  about 
seven  o-Clock  from  Williamsburg;  He  has  been  unwell 
himself  while  there,  &  he  informs  us  that  many  are 
indisposed  in  that  City  While  we  were  at  Coffee  I 
was  taken  with  a  Sudden  &  unusual  pain  in  my  Breast, 
a  sickness  at  my  stomach,  attended  with  a  trembling 
and  dizzy  faintness ;  I  retired  to  my  room  immediately, 
laid  myself  down  in  bed  but  had  a  Fever  most  of  the 
Night 


Monday  2j. 

I  feel  myself  perfectly  relieved  blessed  be  God 
who  upholds  my  Life  M^  Carter  says  the  people  are 
reaping  on  the  Road  as  he  came.  He  opened  &  shewed 
me  a  curious  Case  of   mathematical  Instruments  price 

ten  Guineas ;   He  shewed  me  Bens  Seal  live  Guineas 

We  have  to  day  several  plentiful  Showers Evening 

at  Coffee  the  Colonel  shew'd  me  a  book  of  vocal  Musick 
which  he  had  just  imported,  it  is  a  collection  of  psalm- 
Tunes,  Hymns,  &  Anthems  set  in  four  parts  for  the 
Voice;  He  seems  much  taken  with  it  &  says  we  must 
learn   &  perform  some   of  them   in  their  several  parts 

with  our  voices  <&;  with  instruments. Lightning  in 

several  parts  of  the  Heaven  M^  Carter  is  much  afraid, 
&  can  never  eat  if  a  cloud  is  rising  nor  lie  down  to 
sleep. 

Teusday  28. 

Warm  this  morning.  M^  Carter  rode  to  Court,  I 
wrote  some  at  my  sermon  but  it  goes  on  slowly 


l88  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Ben  is  not  perfectly  well,  he  studies,  however,  at  times 

a  little,  to  day  he  makes  Docf;  Jories  a  visit The 

Day  very  hot ;  people  I  understand  are  reaping  in  this 
County Evening  we  have  in  the  West  &  North- 
West  amazing  Lightning M?  Carter  retired  to  her 

Chamber,  where  she  always  chooses  to  sit  quite  alone 
in  bad  Weather 

Wednesday  2g. 

Writing  at  my  Sermon The  day  cool  &  agree- 
able. I  was  never  so  much  coniined  as  now,  not  even 
when  I  was  at  College,  for  I  used  to  go  with  my  sweet 
mates,  as  Virgil  calls  them,  about  the  Fields,  or  to  the 
Brooks  to  wash,  &  often  ride  to  Trenton  for  exercise  & 

pleasure &    sometimes    to  Neivington    &    spend   an 

Afternoon  with  that  dear  girl  Laura Here  in  Vir- 
ginia I  have  no  Call  out,  people  seem  sociable  &  kind 
but  I  want  Spirit  to  improve  &  relish  Society.  Soon, 
however,  soon,  if  I  keep  my  Health,  I  shall  be  again  at 
Liberty. 

Thursday  jo. 

The  morning  pleasant  none  too  hot  to  be  agree- 
able  My   Charge   seem   rising  slowly,  &  uniformly 

in  their  several  Parts Harry  begun  at  Reduction 

&  is  now  working  Fellowship;  he  improves  too  in 
Writing.  Bob  began  at  Addition  and  is  working  Com- 
pound  Division :    he   is  the  best   writer  in  the  School 

Ben  begun  with  reading  Salust  he  is  now  reading 

Virgil  &  the  Greek-Testament.  He  writes  extremely 
bad Priscilla  began  Addition  &  is  working  Divis- 
ion;   She  improves  in    writing,  &  reads  tolerably 

Nancy  mends  fast  in  writing,  but  reads  carelessly  thick 
&  inaccurately. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  189 
I  mentioned  to  Day  M^  Peck  to  M^  Carter.     He 


objected  at  first  to  his  Age  as  rather  too  young  for  the 
Duty  of  a  Tutor,  he  assented  however  &  requested  me 
to  write  him  word  that  he  is  desired  to  come  by  the 
Time  I  shall  leave  Virginia 

Fryday July  I.  1774. 

I  rose  at  six.     The  morning  bearable     Breakfasted 

\vith   us 'Squire   Lee. About  one  came   in  Captain 

Blackivell,  M":  Grubb,  &  Lancelot  Lee,^  the  two  young- 
sters came  suddenly  into  our  Room,  bold  gay  &  noisy. 
We  conversed  with  them  till  the  Bell  rung  for  Dinner, 
when  we  all  repair'd  to  the  dining-Room :  Captain 
Blackwel  is  to  sail  in  about  ten  Days  for  London,  I 
gave  the  Children  the  afternoon  for  Recreation. 

Saturday  2. 

M^  Grubb  called  again  about  twelve  with  an  inten- 
tion to  ride  out  to  the  Potowmack  but  there  came  on 

a  Rain  &  kept  us  Home We  spent  the  afternoon 

sociably  in  our  Room.  Miss  Nancy  Carter  last  Night 
or  this  morning  in  some  whimsical  freak,  dipt  off  her 
Eye-Brows;  She  has  a  very  good  Skin;  exceeding 
black  hair,  &  black-well  arched,  full  Eye-brows,  which, 
as  I  said  the  other  day  are  much  esteemed  in  Virginia 

She  denies  positively  that   She   cut  them   herself, 

&  swears  some  mischievous  person  has  done  it  when 
She  was  sleeping.  But  I  am  inclined  to  think  it  is  an 
experiment  She  has  been  making  on  herself  to  see  how 
she  can  vary  the  looks  of  her  face.  It  made  me  laugh 
when  I  saw  it  first,  to  think  how  early  &  how  truely 
She  copies  Female  absurdities. 

'  Son  of  George   Lee  of    Mt.    Pleasant,  and  younger  brother  of  George 
Fairfax  Lee,  the  proprietor  of  Mt.  Pleasant  at  this  date  (1774). 


190  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Towards  evening  we  rode  out  merely  for  exercise, 
&  straggled  at  last  to  M":  Simpsons ;  near  his  house  we 
saw  two  trees  standing  near  each  other  both  of  which 
have  lately  been  struck  by  Lightning  &  are  torn  to 
shivers  in  several  parts 

M^  Grubb   agreed  to  stay  the  night,   we   supt  on 

Artichoks,    &    Huckleberries   &    Milk The    toasts, 

after  Supper,  were  the  King;  Queen  &  Royal  Family, 
the  Governor  &  his  family,  &  then  young  Ladies  of  our 

acquaintance We  were  alone,  M^  &  M":^  Carter  left 

us  immediately,  so  that  we  spent  the  evening  without 
restraint. 

Sunday  3. 

We  were  all  to  go  to  Church  to  day,  but  we  were 
prevented  by  a  storm  of  thunder  &  Rain ;  the  Ground 
is  now  sufficiently  wetted I  have  not  heard  a  Ser- 
mon on  Sunday  since  the  fifteenth  of  May;  a  longer 
Vacancy  from  publick  worship  than  I  have  ever  had 
since  my  first  remembrance.  About  ten  an  old  Negro 
Man  came  with  a  complaint  to  M":  Carter  of  the  Over- 
seer that  he   does  not  allow   him  his    Peck  of  corn  a 

Week The  humble  posture  in  which  the  old  Fellow 

placed  himself  before  he  began  moved  me.  We  were 
sitting  in  the  passage,  he  sat  himself  down  on  the  Floor 
clasp'd  his  Hands  together,    with   his  face  directly   to 

M^  Carter,  &  then  began  his  Narration He  seem'd 

healthy,  but  very  old,  he  was  well  dress'd  but  com- 
plained bitterly 1  cannot  like  this  thing  of  allowing 

them  no  meat,  &  only  a  Peck  of  Corn  &  a  Pint  of  Salt 
a  Week,  &  yet  requiring  of  them  hard  &  constant 
Service.     We  have  several  Rains  this  day  so  that  the 

Ground  is  sufficiently  wetted I  spent  the  greater 

part  of  the  day  writing  at  my  Sermon. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  191 

Monday  ^. 

I  begun  to  read  the  first  Volume  of  Tristram- 
Shandy He  is  droll  in  the  account  he  gives  us  of 

his  Birth  &  Family We  have  several  good  showers 

to  day,  the  weather  is  warm,  funky,  very  damp  &  I 
fear  will  not  turn  out  long  to  be  healthful.  With  us  in 
Jersey  wet  Weather  about  this  time  not  only  is  preju- 
dicial to  the  Harvest,  but  is  generally  thought,  &  I 
believe  almost  never  fails  being  a  forerunner  of  Agues, 
Fall-Fevers,  Fluxes,  &  our  Horse-Distempers Fear- 
ing these,  any  of  which  so  far  from  Home,  would  be 
painful  &  expensive,  I  keep  myself  much  at  Home,  con- 
trary to  the  repeated  &  strong  invitations  of  the  young- 
sters  And  indeed   my    Duty,  seems  to  require  my 

presence  pretty  constantly  ;  &  I  am  forced  to  produce 
an  Example  for  what  I  find  it  necessary  to  enforce  on 
our  Boys,  in  order  to  do  it  with  some  face,  for  they 
always  call  upon  me  for  a  Reason  for  every  one  of  my 

precepts It  is  now  the  Height  of  Harvest There 

is  at  M^  Turburville's  a  young  Lady,  from  the  Isle  of 
Wight,    Miss  Betsy  Lee,^  a   Sister  of   George  &   Lancelot 

Lees It  is  proposed  that  Ben  &  I  go  this   Evening 

to   the   Captain's  &    invite    her   here Accordingly 

after  School  we  rode  on  our  errand.  We  found  besides 

Miss  Lee M^  George  Turburville,  his  Wife,  M^  Grnbb, 

&  Lancelot  Lee After  the  ceremony  of  Introduction, 

&  our  Congees  were  over,  we  took  our  seats  in  a  cool 
passage  where  the  Company  were  sitting ;  all  the  Com- 
pany when  we  entered   were   laughing   at  Master  Lee,''' 

'  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant,  by  his  first  wife, 
Judith  Wormeley  of  "  Rosegnll,"  and  a  half  sister  of  George  Fairfax  and 
Lancelot  Lee.  This  young  lady  was  bom  November  21st,  and  died,  unmar- 
ried, on  the  19th  of  May,  1828.     (Lee's  Lee  of  Virginia,  184.) 

'  Probably  Lancelot,  who  at  this  date  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  who 


192  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

who  had  been  gathering  Mulberries,  &  either  through 

carelessness  or  Greediness  had  stained  his  ruffles At 

any  Rate  they  looked  like  a  scarlet  Clock  in  a  Bunters 

stocking,  both  indilicate  &  impudent The  attention 

of  the  Company  however  being  wholly  taken  up  with 
M^  Lee,  I  had  the  opportunity,  which  I  wanted,  of 
examining  the  person  of  his  Sister,  without  being  inter- 
rupted either  by  the   notice  of  others,  or   by  m}-  own 

timidity Miss   Betsy   Lee,    I    am    told    is    but    lately 

entered  her  twenty-sixth  year;    She  is  a  well  set  maid, 

of   a    proper    Height,    neither  high    nor    low Her 

Aspect  when  she  is  sitting  is  masculine  &  dauntless; 
she  sits  very  erect;  places  her  feet  with  great  pro- 
priety, her  Hands  She  lays  carelessly  in  her  lap,  & 
never  moves  them  but  when  she  has  occasion  to  adjust 
some  article  of  her  dress,  or  to  perform  some  exercise 

of  the  Fan She  has  a  full  face,  sanguine  Complec- 

tion,  her  Nose  is  rather  protuberant  than  otherwise; 
Her  Eyes  are  exactly  such  as  Homer  atributes  to  the 
Goddess  Minerva ;  &  her  arms  resemble  those  which 
the  same  Poet  allows  to  Juno.  When  She  has  a  Bonnet 
on  &  Walks,  She  is  truely  elegant ;   her  carriage  neat  & 

graceful,  &  her  presence  soft  &  beautiful Her  hair 

is  a  dark  Brown,  which  was  crap'd  up  very  high,  &  in 
it    she   had    a     Ribbon    interwoven    with    an    artificial 

Flower At   each   of    her    ears    dangled    a    brilliant 

Jewel;  She  was  pinched  up  rather  too  near  in  a  long 
pair   of   new    fashioned    Stays,    which,    I    think,   are    a 

Nusance    both    to    us   &    themselves For   the   late 

importation  of  Stays  which  are  said  to  be  now  most 
fashionable  in  London,  are  produced  upwards  so  high 
that  we  can  have  scarce  any  view  at  all  of  the  Ladies 

afterward  married  Mary  Bathurst,  daughter  of  Thomas  Jones  of  Northumber- 
land County. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  I93 

Snowy  Bosoms;  and  on  the  contrary,  they  are  extended 
downwards  so  low  that  whenever  Ladies  who  wear 
them,  either  young  or  old,  have  occasion  to  walk,  the 
motion  necessary  for  Walking,  must,  I  think,  cause  a 
disagreeable  Friction  of  some  part  of  the  body  against 
the  lower  edge  of  the  Stays  which  is  hard  &  unyield- 
ing  I  imputed  the  Flush  which  was  visible  in  her 

Face    to    her   being    swathed   up  Body  &   Soul  &   limbs 

together She  wore  a  light  Chintz  Gown,  very  fine, 

with  a  blue  stamp,  elegantly  made,  &  which   set   w^ell 

upon  her She   wore  a  blue  silk  Quilt In   one 

word  Her  Dress  was  rich  &  fashionable Her  behav- 
iour such  as  I  should  expect  to  find  in  a  Lady  whose 
education  had  been  conducted  with  some  care  &  skill; 
and  her  person,  abstracted  from  the  embelishments  of 
Dress  &  good  Breeding,  not  much  handsomer  than  the 

generality  of  Women 

What  made  me  desirous  to  see,  &  curious  to  recon- 
noitre this  young  Lady,  was,  a  Sentence  that  was  dropt 
yesterday  by  a  respectable  Member  of  our  Family,  inti- 
mating a  Desire  that  I  may,  on  seeing  Miss  Lee,  after 
having  known,  by  report,  her  faultless  character,  be  so 
pleased  with  her  person  as  to  try  to  make  her  mine,  & 

settle  in  this  Province That  kind  Body,  who  is  for 

making  me  happy  by  settling  me  in  Virginia,  &  con- 
necting me  with  one  of  the  best  families  in  the  Govern- 
ment, little  knows  how  painful  it  would  be  if  I  was 
indeed  compell'd  by  any  accident  of  Fortune  to  spend 
the  remainder  of  my  Days  in  Virginia  if  it  is  the  pleas- 
ure of  Providence  that  I  am  to  continue  for  any  length 

of  time  in  the  World Strong,  &  sweet  are  the  bands 

which  tye  us  to  our  place  of  nativity;  If  it  is  but  a 
beggarly  Cottage,  we  seem  not  satisfied  with  the  most 
elegant  entertainment  if  we  are  totally  separated  from 


194  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

it But  if  a  Princess  should   solicit  me   to  accept, 

together   with   Herself,   50000^^   a  j^ear I   declare, 

with  as  grQ,cit  pleasure  as  truth,  that  the  esteem,  &  Fidel- 
ity which  I  possess  for  my  dear,  dear  Eliza  would 
make  me  without  reflection,  evade  &  refuse  the  propo- 
sal  Ben  &  I  returned  Home  before  dark We 

had  the  'Squire  to  drink  Coffee  with  us He  brought 

us  a  Newspaper  containing  the  debate,  of  the  House  of 
Commons  concerning  the  Repeal  of  the  Tea-duty. 

Teusday  5. 

While   we  were  at  Breakfast  came  from  Hobbes- 
Hole  M":^  Oakly  a  Woman  who  has  acted  as  nurse  for 

several  of  M":^  Carters  Children  with  great  credit 

All  the  family  speak  of  her  with  Love  &  regard 

This  day  is  very  warm,  but  no  rain 1  gave  all  the 

Girls  this  day  to  chat  with  their  old  acquaintance 

Tho'  the  weather  is  warm  &  very  Damp  we  have  here 
no  Musquetoes;  I  have  not  seen  one,  since  I  came  into 
the  Province  as  I  can  now  recollect  which  seems  to  me 
a  little  strange ;  for  at  Princeton  in  Jersey  some  warm 
evenings  in  July  &  August  they  are  so  numerous  as  to 
be  troublesome,  &  that  is  more  than  twenty  miles  from 
Salt  Water,   this   not  more   than   three  times  as   many 

Rod. In    the   evening,    among   several   other  things 

M":  Carter  informed  me  that  he  has  on  this  plantation  a 
Negro    Man    called    Prince    who    is    now    unwell    of   a 

Strain This  Man,  he  swears,  he  would  not  sell  for 

500;if  ready  Cash I   was  almost  ready  to  say  it  is 

more    Money   than    I    would   give   for   all    he    owns   on 

his  Estate The  evening  is  very  pleasant     I   had  an 

oppertunity  on  the  Pavement  before  the  Hall  Door  of 
shewing  away  on  Astronomy  to  M"".^  Carter,  I  lectured 
for  half  an   hour  on  the  Milky-Way,  on  several  of  the 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  195 

Stars,  on  Jupiter  in  particular,  &  on  the  Course  of 
Comets. In  bed  by  half  after  ten  as  usual. 

Wednesday  6. 

Ben  seems  pretty  well  recovered We  dined  to 

day  on  the  Fish  call'd  Sheeps-Head,   with   Crabs 

Twice  ever}^  Week  we  have  fine  Fish,  &  every  Day 
good  Fruit  for  Dinner,  caudled  Apples,  Hurtle-Berries 

with  milk  &ic Yes,  says  M":'  Carter  at  Supper,  this 

hot  weather  takes  away  all  my  life  ;  the  small  Light- 
ning that  we  now  have  makes  me  uneasy  &  melancholy 

1   love  to   see   her  in   such   Distress Beauty  &. 

Virtue  when  combined  together  &  Strugling  against 
Misfortune;   O  how  such  objects  move,  &  awaken  the 

most  delicate  sensations  of  our  Souls Call  in  Nancy 

to  her  Guitar,  says  the  Colonel.  In  She  minces  slow 
&  silent  from  her  supper She  scratches  her  Instru- 
ment, after  a  long  preparation,  into  the  Air  of  "  Water 
parted  from  the  Sea."  What,  pray  Miss  Nancy,  what 
bewitched  you  with  a  desire  of  clipping  your  Eye- 
Brows The  Genius  of   Woman  shines  forth  in  this 

little  Girlish  trick Pray  M":  Fithian,  was  you   ever 

taught  Singing?     Yes   Sir,    I   attended   two  years 

Had   you   any  instructions  in   particular   for  using  the 

Shake 1  am   giving  Nancy  some   Lessons,  but  she 

is  vastl}^  indolent Nancy,   play  over  and   sing  the 

Funeral   Hymn Excuse   me.  Papa,   I    have    lost  the 

Verses Happy  Soul,  th}^  Daj's  are  ended, Go 

on How   steady   &    how    sharp   it   lightens   in    the 

North  too. 

Thursday  j. 

Yes  Fanny  may  sit  down  to  Breakfast Where's 

Ben The  Weather  is  hot  &  Ben  for  enjoyment  had 


196  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

stript  himself  naked Of  everything  but  his  shirt  & 

trowsers Where's   Ben He   is  not  very  well, 

Madam This   Day   says   the   Colonel  after  having 

Prefac'd   our   Breakfast   with  a "God   bless  us  in 

what  we  are  to  receive" is  our  Rye  yonder  to  be 

mown  down ;    mown  down  thinks  I,  do  they  mow  their 

Grain    in   Virginia Yes  two   Negroes   take   naked 

Sythes  &  mow  down  the  Grain ;   others  are  employ'd  in 

raking   it  into  heaps,  but  much   of  it   is  left Shall 

I    help    you,    M^  Fithian,   to  a   Dish    of    Coffee? 1 

choose  a  deep  Plate,  if  you  please,  Ma'am,  &  Milk 

Our  Corn,  Madam,  in  Jersey  is  inferior  to  yours  in  this 

Province Or  your  Cooks,    Sir,  are  less   Skilful  in 

managing  it Well,  Nancy,  I  have  tuned  your  Gui- 
tar :  you  are  to  practice  to  Day,  with  Priscilla,  who  is 
to  play  the  Harpsichord,  til  twelve  o  Clock;   You  can 

repeat  the  Verses  of  the  Funeral  Hymn? 1  can  Sir 

What,  Harry,  do  you    hesitate   at   that  plain   Sum 

in  Arithmetical  Progression? Bob,  attend  to  your 

Business When  I  am  bedizened  with  these  clamor- 
ous children,  sometimes  I  silently  exclaim Once  I 

was  told,  now  I  know  I  feel  how  irksome  the  Pedagog- 

ing  Scheme  is Fanny I  say,  Fanny,  don't  you 

hear   me,    Fanny,   and    Betsy,   sit  down pray,    Sir, 

must    I    multiply   here   by   32 Yes,  thick-Scull 

But  M":  Fithian,  I   don't  know  how  to  divide  by  5? 

Look,    Sir,  do   you   see    what   Mouth's  Harry    Willis  is 

making? I   can  say  my  Lesson Buz,  Buz 

To  divide  by  55  you  must  double  both  your  Dividend 

&  divisor Half  after  two  we  were  rung  to  Dinner; 

poor  Taskcr,^  his  Fever  has  continued  high  since  yes- 
terday afternoon,    he  lies  quiet,    and  asks  for  nothing 

^  Benjamin  Tasker  Carter,  the  Councillor's  eldest  son,  was  named  after 
his  grandfather,  Hon.  Benjamin  Tasker  of  Maryland. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  I97 
If  his   Disorder  does  not  abate   to   night,   I  shall 


give  him  in  the  morning  a  dose  of  "James's  Powder" 

Will  you  lend  me  Jack,  he  meant  my  Horse,  says 

M^  Randolph,  to  ride  to-morrow  to  Captain  Cheltons; 
yes  M^  Randolph,  I  will  oblige  Jenny  so  far. 

Fryday  8. 

I  swear,  says  Bob,  Harry  belies  me.      \  never  told 
the  Nurse  that  Harriot  should  stay  in  School  all  Day 

It  was  Mama's  order  that  so  long  as  M":^  Oakly  the 

Nurse  stays,  Harriot  is  to  go  into  School  after  Break- 
fast, &  after  Dinner,  &   say   a  lesson  each  time I 

was  passing  through  the  Hall  from  Breakfast The 

Nurse,  a  short  Stump  of  a  Woman,  who  blundered  by 
mere  accident,  when  she  was  young,  out  of  the  road  in 
which  Virgins  commonly  travel,  &  felt  the  difficulties 
of  being  a   Mother  several  years   before   She   enjoyed 

the  pleasures  of  being  a  Wife She  call'd  to  me,  & 

begg'd  me  to  close  the  Quarrel;  you  shall  have,  said 
I,  dear  Madam,  with  the  greatest  Freedom  my  consent 

Harriot  shall   be  with  you At  Breakfast 

Where  is  Ben? He  breakfasts  with  the  House- 
keeper   Madam At    School What   a    likeness 

there  is  in  the  manners  of  Boys;  Bob,  &  Harry  had 
skulk'd  behind  the  writing-Table  with  their  Slates  on 
their  Knees,  &  their  Faces  close  together,  just  as  I 
have  done  a  thousand  Times,  in  our  little  School-House 
in  Greenwich But  once  I  was  threshed  confound- 
edly  for   a  piece   of   such    hidden   play Tom  Parks 

was    asleep,    poor   Fellow    he   is   now    sleeping   in    the 

Dust; Then  he   was  fast   asleep  on   a  Bench,  with 

his  mouth  open 1  fiU'd  his  mouth  with  Snuff! 

He  sprung  up Nature  was  in  distress,  &  found  all 

her   Avenues   too   scanty  at   that  time  to  clear  out  at 


198  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

once  the  tickling  penetrating  Powder He  snuffed 

He  coughed He — He  told  the  Master,  &  then 

I  was  tickled Indeed  he  made  my  Feet  beat  time 

to  his  Lash Says  Bob  to  Harry,  behind  the  Table, 

I   wonder  M":  Fit/nan  has  not  fallen  in   Love  yet   with 

some  of  our  Nominy-Girls Here  he  sits  from  Month 

to    Month (Not    many    Months    longer   said    I    to 

myself) ^\\  Marshal  was  always  out ;    I   suppose  Mr 

Fithian  never  thinks  of  Girls Indeed  says  Harry, 

drawing  his  chair  close  &  lowering  his  voice,  I  never 
in  my  Life  saw  a  Man  who  thought  so  little  of  these 

things -Here    Tom   the    Coachman   came  in   with  a 

wood  Tarripin   which   he   brought  to   be   a  resident  in 

our  Room  to  catch  the  Bugs  &  Cockroaches 

yes,  Harry,  &  Bob,  Fithian  is  vulnerable  by  Cupid's 

Arrows 1  assure  you.  Boys,  he  is.  Not  by  the  Girls 

of   Westmorland O  my   dear   Laura,   I   would  not 

injure  your  friendly  Spirit;  So  long  as  I  breathe  Heav- 
ens vital  air  I  am  unconditionally  &  wholly  yours 

At  Dinner,  Wf  Carter  call'd  for  the  Chariot,  W?  Tur- 
burville  will  think  me  rude,  unless  I  welcome  her 
Home;    I  will  take  Priscilla  this  Afternoon  &  make  her 

a   visit I   saw   in    a   moment  that  Miss  was    better 

pleased  with  the  notion  of  trotting  off  in  the  Carriage, 

than  to  be  caged  up  with  Multiplication  &  Division 

O  yes,  says  M?  Oakly,  I  know  Dadda  Guniby  at  Will- 
iamsburg.    I  think  you  look  as  brisk,  as   hearty  &  as 

young  now  as  you  did  ten  years  ago Guniby I 

&  my  old  Woman,  here  Master,  are  the  two  oldest 
Negres  in    M':   Carters  Estate.      Here   we  live.  Master, 

on  our  worthy  Landlords  Bounty The  Nurse,  Betsy, 

&  Harriot  were  at  Gumby's  House  which  stands  about 

twenty  Rod  from  the  Garden I  was  walking,  with 

a   Book  in   my  Fist,   musing  &   stumbling  along I 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  I99 

saw  them,  1  went  up,  &  with  a  lower  Bow  than  I 
should  give  to  a  Nurse,  if  Women  were  plenty,  says 
I,  pray  M"?  Oakly  do  you  know  Dadda  Gumby?  We 
stood  chattering-  with  the  old  African,  or  rather  he  stood 
chattering  with  us,  relating  one  story  after  another, 
leaving  some  of  his  Narrations  half  untold,  beginning 
others  in  the  middle  having  entered  into  the  true  Spirit 

of    Loquacity Dennis,   in  the    Height   of    a   Story, 

about  his  Grand-fathers  Uncle's   harpooning  a  Porpoise 

summoned  me  to  Coffee M?  Oakly,  will  you  walk? 

Come  Betsy Where's  Ben? Says  the  Col- 
onel has  Ben  retired  from  the  World? He  rode  out 

this  Evening,  Sir,  about  five  o  Clock  for  Exercise 

^V?  Carter,  ISP.  Carter,  good  night 

Saturday  g. 

I  was  waked  by  Savi  the  Barber  thumping  at  my 
Door I  was  dressed In  Powder  too;  for  I  pro- 
pose to  see  &  dine  with  yi\ss  Jenny  Washington  to  Day. 
D — n  the  Bugs  &  Chinches,  says  Ben  rolling  over  on 
the  Bed,  &  rubbing  his  Eyes,  I  have  slept  none  for  them 
M":   Fithian,   do   you   rest  any    o-Nights?      Dont   these 

cursed  Bugs  keep  you  awake? No  Sir;   for  you  see 

I  commonly  sit  &  read  til  half  after  ten,  or  eleven 

So  that  by  the  Time  I  lay  my  poor  Skin  &  Bones  on 
the  Bed,  I  am  so  much  fatigued  with  the  tumultous 
Business  of  the  Day,  &  the  Study  of  the  Evening  that 

my  sleep  the  rest  of  the  night  is  sound  &  unbroken 

Priscilla  hangs  her  head  a  little  this  morning.  She  looks 
feverish,  dispirited,  sits  on  a  low  bench,  with  her  Elbow 
in  her  Lap,  &  leaning  her  head  upon  her  hand,  swings 
backwards  and  forwards,  just  as  I  have  seen  beautiful 
Quaker  Girls  when  they  are  weepr'ng  at  the  frightful 
distortions  and  Grimaces  of  some  deep-inspired  Father. 


200  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

But  Priscilla  &  Tasker  are  unwell Fanny  teizes  me 

for  a  Picture,  I  must  draw  her  a  slip,  she  says,  on 
Paper  like  the  one  I  drew  for  Her  the  other  Day  with 

my   finger  in   the   Sand 1    love   the   little    careless 

Girl,  &  will  oblige  her. On   the  writing-Table  in 

the  School-Room  I  found  this  morning  an  old  Book  of 
Esops  Fables  done  into  English  Verse ;  In  the  Margins 
of  the  Book  up  &  Down  Bob  had  in  his  scribbling  Way 
recorded  the  names  of  several  young  Ladies  of  West- 
morland &  Richmond  Counties.     I  shall  set  them  down, 

as  I  turned  over  the  Leaves  &  found  them I  do  not 

insinuate  by  writing  this  Story,  the  smallest  reproach 
to  either  of  the  Ladies;  I  mention  it  solely  to  shew 
Bob's  Taste,  &  the  Meditations  of  his  heart  when  wholly 
alone.  In  the  Life  of  Esop,  page  23,  at  the  Bottom 
of  the  Leaf  his  own  Name  is  written  at  full  length  & 
in  as  elegant  a  hand  as  he  is  master  of  with  a  Dash 
below. 

Robert  Bladen  Carter. 

He  has  in  the  same  manner  introduced  it  a  few 
leaves  further  on,  he  has  done  this  to  be  a  kind  of 
Preface  for  what  is  to  follow ;  he  has  also  very  cleverly 
interspersed  it  with  the  Ladies,  either  that  the  Ladies 
Names  should  be  a  foil  to  set  his  off  to  advantage,  or 

that  his  name  be  a  Foil  to  adorn  the  Ladies In  the 

Life  of  Woglog  the  Great  at  the  first  page 

Miss  Lucy  Carter'  of  Sabine-Hall. 

Page  3d  at  Bottom  of  the  Leaf 
Miss  Lettitia  Turberville  of  Hickory  Hill. 

Page  8. 

^A  daughter  of  Col.  Landon  Carter  of  Sabine  Hall  (an  uncle  of  the 
Councillor's),  and  Elizabeth  Wormeley,  his  third  wife.  Lucy  Carter  married 
William  Colston. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  20I 

Miss  Betsy  Carter'  of  Sabine-Hall. 

Page  9. 
Miss  Priscilla  Carter  of  Nomini-Hall — his  Sister, 

Esops  Fables  Page  i!'  he  writes  the  Name  of   the  Girl  he 

loves  above  all  others 
Polly  Tayloe  the  Lovely  of  Mount-Airy. 

Page  39t^>     Miss  Betsy  Lee. 

Page  41. 
Miss  Kitty  Tayloe.     Mount  Airj-. 

Page  43. 
Miss  Lydia  Pettit  has  d — m'd  ugly  Freckles  in  her  Face,  other- 
wise She  is  handsome  &  tolerable 

Page  45. 
Miss  Betsy  Gaskins.' 

Page  47. 
Miss  Sally  Tayloe. 

Page  50. 
Miss  Jenny  Washington  of  Bushfield  is  very  Pretty, 

then  he  Bolts  in 

Robert  Carter. 

Page  57. 
Miss  Polly  Tolliver.' 

Page  59. 
Miss  Steerman  is  a  beautiful  young  Lady. 
Miss  Jane  Corbin. 

Aphia  Fantleroy. 

Edwards. 

Betsy  Jones. 

Sally  Panton. 


But  this  afternoon  M^  Oakly'x^  taken  with  a  Fever; 
I  suppose,  She  was  out  last  evening  without  anything 

'  Elizabeth  Wormeley,  daughter  of  Landon  Carter  and  a  sister  of  Lucy 
Carter,  married  Nelson  Berkely  of  Airwell,  Hanover  County. 

'  Doubtless  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Gaskins  of  Northumber- 
land, who  married  (nth  June,  1775)  Edward  Digges.  A  sister,  Mrs.  Anne 
(Gaskins)  Pinckard,  was  the  second  wife  of  Richard  Henry  Lee. 

'  For  Polly  Taliaferro. 


202  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

on  her  head  rather  too  late,  when  I  saw  her  at  Daddy 
Gumby's 

Sunday  10. 

A  Sunday  in  Virginia  dont  seem  to  wear  the  same 

Dress  as  our  Sundays  to  the  Northward Generally 

here  by  five  o-Clock  on  Saturday  every  Face  (especially 

the  Negroes)  looks  festive  &  cheerful All  the  lower 

class  of  People,  &  the  Servants,  &  the  Slaves,  con- 
sider it  as  a  Day  of    Pleasure  &  amusement,  &  spend 

it  in  such  Diversion,   as  they  severally  choose The 

Gentlemen  go  to  Church  to  be  sure,  but  they  make  that 
itself  a  matter  of  convenience,  &  account  the  Church  a 

useful  weekly  resort  to  do  Business I  am  told,  for 

I  have  not  yet  been  to  Church  since  my  Return,  that 
all  the  Sermons  are  in  the  forensic  Style,  &  on  political 

Subjects.     But  I  shall  go  to  Church  to  Day I  am 

sorry  that  I  may  relate  an  accident  which  happened 
last  night- — ■ — By  some  accident;  or  by  the  carelessness 
of  some   Negroes  M":  Turburville's  Barn  took  fire  and 

burnt  Down His   loss  is  judged   at  300;^  which  is 

something  considerable  for  a  Man  who  is  with  the 
greatest  Anxiety  turning  every  ear  of  Corn  into  Money 
At  Church  Parson  Smith  Read  to  the  Congrega- 
tion an  Order  Issued  out  lately  by  the  Governor  to  elect 

Burgesses  ^  in    the    several  Counties He  preached 

us  a  Sermon  on  Brotherly  Love Dined  with  us  to 

Day  M":  Parker,  a  Lawyer  of  this  County,  &  his  Son,  a 
young  man  about  20  who  is  also  licensed  to  plead  Law 

And   M^   Cumiinghatn 1   am    not    very    well    to 

Day,    I    have   pain   in  several  parts  of   my   Body 


^  Writs  had  been  issued  by  Governor  Dunmore  for  tlie  election  of  a  new 
Assembly,  to  fill  the  place  of  the  one  dissolved  May  25th,  1774,  because  of  its 
indignant  protest  against  the  Act  of  Parliament  shutting  up  the  port  of  Boston. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  203 

M^  Lowe  informed  me  that  Colonel  Washington  is 
unwell  of  a  sort  of  CJiolic. 

Monday  11. 

Indeed    says    M''.^  Carter   at   Breakfast  a   Fire   this 

morning  would  be  very  pleasant Yes  says  I,  for  I 

have  had  the  look  and  feeling  of  November  all  the 
morning;    My  room  shut  up,  My  Coat  buttoned,  &  yet 

my  Body  cold  Besides ! M^  Carter  on  this  advanced 

a  strange  Assertion,  that  there  is  not  a  single  Person  in 
this  whole  Continent,  if  this  Change  is  as  powerful 
through  the  Continent  as  it  is  here,  who  is  not  to  day,  in 

a  greater  or  less  Degree  affected  with  a  Fever! My 

poor  skinny  Body,  I  know  is  in  a  prodigious  Tumult; 
I  impute  it  tho  to  ray  ride  yesterday  to  Church  in  the 
scorching  Sun  ;    and   to  drinking  five  or  six  glasses  of 

Wine  extraordinary Priscilla  &  Harriot  are  confined 

at  Home  of  an  eruptive  Fever,  some  think  it  a  Swine 
Pox  at  an}'  Rate  they  are  sick,  &  break  out  into  Pus- 
tules   I  am  in  such  a  Ferment  to  Day  that  I  cannot 

sit  nor  Walk,  nor  Write  with  any  Stomach I  made 

out  tho'  with  some  Difficulty  to  finish  a  rough  Draught 
of  my  Sermon,  &  laid  by  for  future  Perusal. 

Tetisday  12. 

Indeed  I  enjoy  this  fine  cool  weather,  says  Ben  as 
he  lay  on  his  Back  in  the  Bed  rubbing  his  Eyes,  &  ears 
about  half  after  six  o-Clock;  Lancelot  Lee  had  never  I 
am  sure,  more  sensible   Pleasure   in  swallowing  a  well 

prepared    Dinner To    be    sure    I    have    slept    last 

Night   with  the  sweetest  composure  in  Spight  of  the 

Chinches,    &  in  spight  of   my    Disorder! Get  up, 

Lump  of  Indolence,  said  I  to  him  ;  Get  up  &  clap  to 
Virgil  instead   of    lying    there   &    boasting Break- 


204  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

fasted  with  us  Captain  Guthrie,  of  a  Small  Schooner  of 

Norfolk;    &  M":  Stadley   the   Musician 1   love   this 

good  German,  He  used  to  teach  in  New  York  &  Phila- 
delphia  He    has     much    simplicity    &    goodness   of 

heart He  performs  extremely  well He  is  kind 

&   sociable  with    me Dined   with    us    one one 

M^ M^ I  forgot  his  name 1  know  his 

trade   tho' :    An    Inspector He    is    rather   Dull,    & 

seems  unacquainted  with  company  for  when  he  would, 
at  Table,  drink  our  Health,  he  held  the  Glass  of  Porter 
fast  with  both  his  Hands,  and  then  gave  an  insignificant 
nod  to  each  one  at  the  Table,  in   Hast,  &  with  fear,  & 

then  drank  like  an  Ox 

The  good  Inspector,  at  the  second  toast,  after 
having  seen  a  little  our  Manner  "  Gentlemen  &  Ladies 
(but  there  was  none  in  Womans  Cloathing  at  Table 
except  M?  Carter)  The  King" 1  thought  that  dur- 
ing the  Course  of  the  Toasts,  he  was  better  pleased 
with  the   Liquor  than  with  the  manner  in  which  he  was 

at  this  Time  obliged  to  use  it 1  made  a  begining  of 

my   Latin    Thesis "  Cuinam   Usui    inserv :    at   Lex 

moralis    sub    Evangelis."      I    made    out    to    write    this 

much Duabus    hisce    Propositionibus    sequentibus 

sinulatim  Respondeo. But  if  I  wrote  so  much  every 

Day  for  a  twelve  Month  my  thesis  will  be  short.  The 
Day  is  pleasant,  cool  enough ;  &  my  disorder  which 
has  been  for  several  days  a  growing  painful  Dysentery y 
seems  to  have  subsided. 

Wednesday  ij. 

I  drew  off  this  morning  for  Dadda  Giimby  a  List  of 

his  Children,  &  their  respective  ages He  himself  is 

94 For  this  office  I  had  as  many  Thanks,  as  I  have 

had  blessings  before  now  from  a  Beggar  for  Sixpence 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  205 
Thank  you,  thank  you,  thank  you.  Master,  was  the 


language  of  the  old  Grey-headed  pair. Call  on  us 

at  any  time,  you  shall  have  Eggs,  Apples,  Potatoes 

You  shall  have  everything  we  can  get  for  you  Master! 

In  this  Torrent  of  Expressions  of  Gratitude  I  was 

rung-  to  Breakfast;  I  bow'd  to  the  venerable  Old 
Negroes,  thank'd  them  in  my  Turn  for  their  Offers,  & 

left  them Indeed,   said   the  Colonel  at    Breakfast, 

cool  as  it  was   last   Night,  I  kept  my  Window  up  the 

whole  night I  am  not  fond  of  your  hot  dusty  Air 

Was  yours   up  M":  Fithian    no   truly;    so  long  as 

I  can  breath  without  panting  I  am  for  keeping  my 
Window  down,  &  my  Room  close  on  summer  nights ; 
especially   here  in  Virginia,   Madam,  where  the  Dews 

are  so  heavy,  and  so  dangerous The  Postilion  keeps 

a  fox  at  the  Stable  &  I  am  often  much  diverted  with 
his  Cunning  Tricks.  The  other  Day,  M":^  Carter  was 
lying  in  the  long  room  among  the  Books  on  the  Couch ; 
In  jumps  Reynard,  through  a  broken  Pane  of  Glass,  & 
begins  to  frisk  &  hue  about  the  Room  like  a  Bedlam 

How  is  Nurse,  pray,  says  the  Colonel  at  Dinner? 

She  has  her  Ague  &  Fever  again  to  Day,  Sir This 

is  a  fine  Sheeps-Head,  M^  Stadley  shall  I  help  you? 
Or  would  you  prefer  a  Bass  or  a  Perch  ? Or  per- 
haps you  will  rather  help  yourself  to  some  picked  Crab 

It  is  all  extremely  fine.  Sir,  I'll  help  myself 

Well  says  the  Colonel  when  we  had  almost  finished  our 
Dinner  with  a  Glass  of  sparkling  Porter  on  the  Table 
before  him,  we  have  but  fasted  to  Day ;  here  stands 
a    fine    Ham,    &  a    Shoulder  of   excellent    Mutton    yet 

untouched At  least,  says  the  merry,  good-hearted 

Man,   we    have    kept  Letit Yesterday   I    scribled  a 

little  for  Laura,  &  to  Day  I  drank  her  Health  from 
my     Heart    in    generous    Medaira Yes,    best    of 


206  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Women,  when  you  are  the  Toast  I  drink  wine  with 
pleasure 

Thursday  i^. 

To  Day  is  the  election  of  Burgesses  in   Richmond 

the  neighbouring  County Come,  Fithian,  will  you 

go?     My   old   objection   recurs;   I   am   too  busy 1 

met  this  morning  in  Wingates  Arithmetic,  with  the 
following  merry  Problem "To  discover  a  Num- 
ber which  any  one  shall  have  in  his  mind,  without 
requiring  him  to  reveal  any  part  of  that  or  any  number 

whatsoever" After  any  one  has  thought  upon  any 

number  at  Pleasure;  bid  him  double  it,  &  to  that 
double  bid  him  add  any  such  even  number  as  you 
please  to  assign :  Then  from  the  Sum  of  that  Addition 
let  him  reject  one  half,  &  reserve  the  other  half:  lastly, 
from  this  half  bid  him  subtract  the  Number  which  he 
first  thought  upon  ;  then  you  may  bodily  tell  him  what 
Number  remains  in  his  mind  after  that  Subtraction  is 
made,  lor  it  will  be  always  half  the  Number  which  you 

assigned   him    to  add A  Reason    for   the    Rule   is 

added.  "  Because,  if  to  the  double  of  any  number 
(which  number  for  Distinction  sake  I  call  the  first)  a 
second  number  be  added,  the  half  of  the  Sum  must 
necessarily  consist  of  the  said  first  number,  &  half  the 
Second :  Therefore,  if  from  the  said  half  sum  the  first 
Number  be  subtracted,  the  remainder  must  of  necessity 

be  half  the  second  Number  which  was  added Mf 

Inspector  dined  with  us  again  to  day We  had  after 

Dinner,  Lime  Punch  &  Madaira  :  but  he  chose  &  had  a 
Bowl  of  Grogg You  are  a  mean  Puppy,  a  treacher- 
ous ungenerous  Scoundrel,  says  Bob,  to  Harry  just  as  I 

entered  the  School  after  Dinner you  told  M.I  Lowe, 

you    did     more,    you    published     in     M^    Washington's 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  20/ 

Family  that  M^  Fithian  horsed  me  for  Staying  out  all 

night That  he  call'd  in   John  the   Waiter  to  help 

him &  that  you  was  sent  to  cut  &  bring  in  Whips 

After   School   with   Ben    I   rode  out     the   Day   is 

warm,  &  the  Ground  grows  to  be  very  dry I  was 

not  a   little   Surprised   to  see   Corn  out  in  Tassel 

But  the  Tobacco  looks  dismal,  it  is  all  poor,  much  of  it 
is  dead  with  the  drouth ;  I  think,  however,  that  the 
Season  is  ten  days  or  two  Weeks  earlier  here  than  in 

New  Jersey 

M^  Stadley,  left  us  to  Day,  I  love  that  Man,  he  is 
gone  to  Colonel  Tayloes 

Fry  day  /j. 

I  got  up  a  little  before  six  &  as  it  is  very  warm,  I 
threw  up  the  window  to  enjoy  the  Morning's  fine  salu- 
brious Air I  saw  a  Lady She   was  walking  to 

the  Poplars She  appeared  small  but  walked  genteel 

She  walked  slow  &  looked  on  the  ground Her 

dress  look'd  to  be  extremely  good,  but  was  only  thrown 
carelessly  on ;   She  had  a  Silk  shade  thrown   over  her 

shoulders  in  which  her  hands  were  muffled 1  had 

the    Idea  in   a   moment   of   a   Woman   in   some   kind    of 

Difficulty But  how  can  such  a  Woman  have  been 

to  M^  Carters  &  done  Business,  who  was  not  there  last 

night? It  was  M":*  Oakly She  has  the  Ague  and 

was   walking   for   the   benefit  of   the  Morning  Air. 

We  are  rid  of  two  troubles  from  this  morning  till 
Monday :    for   Bob  &   Nancy  are   gone   to   the   Dancing 

School They  Dance  at  Colonel  Lee's Two  great 

troubles,  indeed,  for  this  hot  weather  I  can  hardly 
keep  them  in  the  Room,  much  less  to  any  useful  busi- 
ness  Please   to  excuse  me   from   Dinner,  says  M^^ 

Carter,  &   retired  to  her   Chamber There  appears 


208                            PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN                         [1774 
in    the   North   a   black   Cloud,  where   it  Thunders 


Send   us  a  Shower  in   Mercy,    bountiful   Heaven,   tho' 

our    Sins  deserve   thy   Frowns   &  Judgments. The 

Cloud  thickens,  it  rises At  last  there  comes  a  kind 

Shower After  the  Rain  about  six  Ben  &  I  took  a 

Ride  for  exercise,  the   Corn  litterally  looks  glad 1 

have  made  a  part}^  says  M^  Carter  at  Coffee,  for  a  Trip 

by  Water  to  morrow,  M^  Fithian  will  you  be  one? 

With  all  my  heart  Sir,  if  it  is  agreeable We  are  to 

ride  then  to  M':  Aizvels  says  he,  &  there  enter  my  new 
Barge,  with  her  we  will  go  down  the  River  Machodock 
into  Potowmack  then  up  the  Potowmack  &  enter  the 
River  Nomini,  &  up  that  River  Home 

Saturday  16. 

The  Colonel,  Ben  &  myself  rode  on  Horse-back 
about  Six  to  Ml  Atwels ;  four  lusty,  hearty  Men  had 
gone  on  foot  before  who  were  Oarsmen :  Here  we 
were  to  enter  a  Boat  never  Rowed  before,  &  proceed 
down  the  River  Machodock  to  M":  Carters  Store-Houses 
which  are  now   building  near  the  mouth  of  that  River 

But  I  am  going  to  venture  upon  a  Description  of 

a  Scene  which   I  am  sure  I  will  not  do  Justice  to -A 

Scetch  of  three  Rivers Their  Beautiful  Banks 

Several  Gentlemens  Seats Their  commodious  har- 
bours  In    particular  that   near   which    y[\  Carter  is 

erecting    Store-Houses The    whole    is    to    be    an 

account  of  our  peregrination  this  i6'>  burning  day  of 
July  1774 With  several  remarks. 

What  a  Crack  of  Thunder  there  was!      I  must  run 

to   the  Window   &   view    the  Cloud It  is   a  small 

white  remote  Cloud  in  the  North-West.  I  was  sum- 
moned to  Coffee M^^  Carter  gave  us  a  Dish  round 

Amazing  what  a  Flash  of  Lightning  I      How  fast  it 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  209 

rises! Ben  child,  says  the  lovely  Woman,  take  my 

Seat  &  fill  out  the  Coffee.     Please  to  excuse  me;   &  She 

then   retired   up   chamber We   finished  our   Coffee 

The  Gust  came  up,  &  to  be  sure  I   have   seldom 

seen  one  more  terable !  Long,  bright,  forked  bolts 
seemed  to  dart  incessantly  through  the  broken  parts  of 
the  Cloud;  some  of  them  would  appear  perpendicular 
others  horizontal,  and  some  would  split,  &  in  a  moment 
seem  to  bespangle,  with  Sparks  of  Fire,  the  whole 
Front  of  the  Cloud  ! 

And  these  were  continually  succeeded  with  alarm- 
ing alternate  Cracks  of  Thunder! It  brings,  how- 
ever to  the  scorched   Earth  a  plenteous  needful  Supply 

By   nine  it   is   past,    &    opens    a    serene    beautiful 

western  Sky I  resume  my  Description. 

I  have  said,  that  we  rode  on  Horseback  to  Mr 
Atwels    where    we    were   to    go   on    board   &    have   our 

Horses  sent  back This   House  is  called  six    Miles 

from    the    mouth    of    Machodock It   stands    on    the 

Bank  of  the  River;  The  Boat  that  carried  us  is  built 
for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  young  Ladies  and  others 

of  the  Family  to  Nominy  Church It  is  a  light  neat 

Battoe  elegantly  painted  &  is  rowed  with  four  Oars 

We   went  on  board;    The  Sun   beamed  down  upon  us, 

but  we  had  each  an   Umberella The  River  is  here 

about   Gunshot  over;    the   Banks  are   pretty   low,  but 

hard   to   the   very    Water 1    was    delighted    to    see 

Corn  &  Tobacco  growing,  or  Cattle  &  Sheep  feeding 
along  the  Brink  of  this  River  on  both  Sides,  or  else 
Groves  of  Pines,  Savins  &  Oaks  growing  to  the  side  of 

the  Bank We  passed  by  an  elegant  small  Seat  of 

M":  Bcal ;  it  was  small,  but  it  was  neat We  arrived 

at  M":  Carters  Store-Houses  in  50  minutes,  they  are  5 
Miles   from    M^  Atwels,    &   one    from    Potowmack 


210  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

These  Houses  are  building  for  the  reception  of  Iron, 
Bread,  Flour  &c.     there  are  two  Houses  each  46  Feet 

long   by   20. They  stand  at  the   Bottom  oi   a   Bay 

which  is  a  safe  &  spacious  harbour Here  we  Break- 
fasted at  ten, At  twelve  we  pushed  of  from  thence 

&    rowed    by    parson    Smiths   Glebe   &    in    sight   of  his 

house  in  to  the  broad  beautiful  Potowmack 1  think 

it  is  here  ten  Miles  or  twelve  over  has  a  fine  high   hard 

Bank;  no  Marshes but  Cornfields,  Trees,  or  Grass! 

Up    the   lovely    Water  we    were   rowed   six    Miles 

into  the   Mouth   of  Nominy We  went  on   Board  a 

small  Schooner  from  Norfolk  which  lav  in  Nominy-Bay 

M':  Carter  is   loading  her  with   Flour  &    Iron 

Here  we  were  in  Sight  of  Stratford,  Colonel  Lee's  Seat 

We  were  in   Sight   too   of   Captain   Cheltons 

And   of   Colonel   Washington's  Seat  at   Bushfield 


From  the  Schooner  we  rowed  up  Nominy-River I 

have  forgot  to  remark  before  that  from  the  time  of 
our  setting  out  as  we  were  going  down  Machodock,  & 
along  the  Potowmack-Shore,  &  especially  as  we  were 
rowing  up  Nominy  we  saw  Fishermen  in  great  num- 
bers   in    Canoes,    &   almost   constantly    taking   in   Fish, 

Bass  &  Perch This  was  beautiful! The  entrance 

of  Nomini  is  very  shoal,  &  stony,  the  Channel  is  very 

narrow,  cS:  lies  close  to  the  Eastermost  Side On  the 

edges  of  these  shoals,  or  in  Holes  between  the  Rocks  is 
plenty  of  Fish— — -The  Banks  of  Nominy  are  steep  and 
vastly  high,  twenty  or  thirty  Feet,  &  in  some  places 
almost  perpendicular;  The  Course  of  the  River  is 
crooked,  &  the  prospects  on  each   Side   vastly  romantic 

&     diversified We    arrived    at    the    Granary    near 

Nominy-Hall  about  six 1  went  to  my  room  to  take 

off  an   Account  of  the  expedition When   the  Gust 

soon  hindred. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  211 

Sunday  ij. 

The  Air  this  morning  serene  &  cool 1  do  not 

go  to  Church.  At  last  I  have  finished  my  Presbyterial 
pieces  roughly  they  are  to  be  reviewed  &  corrected; 
In  the  mean  Time  tho',  (as  Workman  say)  I  must  blow 

a  little,  for  to  be  sure   I   am   fatigued M'  Fithian, 

says  M^  Carter  at  Dinner  with  a  serious  Air,  you  see 
we  cannot  with  conveniency  attend  Ucomico  Church.  If 
I  should  propose  having  prayers  read  in  the  great 
Room  on  that  vacant  Day  would  you  encourge  &  assist 

me? 1   answered   him    that   I    was   heartily   agreed 

You  then,  Sir,  says  he,  may  read   the  prayers 

&  I  will  read  the  Lessons.  The  Afternoon  extremely 
hot   I   could    not  leave   my    Room   til    the   Sun   had  hid 

his  flaming  Face  behind  the  Earth Then   I  walked 

through  the  Garden The  whole  Family  seem  to  be 

now  out  Black,  White,  Male,  Female,  all  enjoving  the 


Monday  iS. 

Pray  Sir  let  all  our  Windows  be  put  up,  says  Bob 
the  moment  he  came  down  from  his  chamber,  &  let  the 

Doors  be  set  open  or  we  shall  faint  with  Heat Such 

a  night  I  never  spent  before The  Heat  says  he,  and 

these  cursed  Chinches  made  me  intirely  restless 1 

scribbled  over  a  letter  to  M^  John  Peck,  &  one  to  Miss 

pi"'iy  ^^^-  Fithian  says  Nancy  draw   me  a  picture 

such   as  you   drew    for  Fanny  last  Week At   two, 

just  before  we  sit  Down  to  Dinner  a  Cloud  appear'd  in 

the  West •  M"?  Carter  excused  herself  from  Dinner; 

while  we  were  dining  the  Cloud  came  over,  ver}-  mod- 
erate  tho'  with   plenty  of   Rain It  is  now,  says  M^® 

Carter  at   Coffee,   cool   enough,   a  fine   fall   evening,  a 
Northerly  breeze  &  lovely  evening M^.^  Oakly  came 


212  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

into   my    Room    this    evening It   was   to    take    her 

leave;   she  is  to  leave  us  early  tomorrow  morning 

Good  night,  said  1  to  the  little  Woman,  I  wish  you 
a  safe   passage   over  the    Rappahannock,  &   a  pleasant 

journey  home 1  drew  off  as  well  as  I  could  a  rough 

plan  of  Nominy-Hall  for  Nancy. 

Teiisday  ig. 

Nurse    left  us   early  this  morning   postilion   Nat: 

carried  her  in  a  chair  to  the  Ferry The  Day  is  fine 

cool  enough After  School  in   the   evening  I    rode 

out  to  a  Corn-field,  about  a  Mile  &  a  half  off,  where  I 
usually  go  for  exercise,  the  'Corn  is  beginning  pretty 
generally  to  tassel,  &  I  saw  one  hill  in  Silk,  and  in 
Blossom To  day  1  put  Harry  into  decimal  Arith- 
metic  

Wednesday  20. 

Shut  the   Door,  Harriot,  says  Fanny  I'm   so  cold   I 

shake indeed  the    morning  is    cool   enough   to   sit 

with  December  clothes  on  ! 1  spent  the  little  time  I 

have  for  myself  to  Day  in  forming  my   Latin  Exegesis 

M^  Taylor  the  head  Overseer  Dined   with  us 

At  Coffee  The  Colonel  &  myself  entered  somehow  into 

Dispute  upon  the  advantage  in  working  an  Oar He 

asserted  &  tried  to  prove  that  the  advantage  lies  in 
having  the  Oar  longer  from  the  tholc-pm  or  where  it 
lies  on  the  Boat  to  the  water,  than  from  the  Thole-pin 
to  the  Rowers  hand  in  a  mathematical  sense;  He 
allowed  the  Water  to  be  the  Fulcrum  or  Prop,  &  the 
Boat  to  be  the  weight,  &  the  Rower  to  be  a  secondary 

Power But  the  resistance  of  the  Water  to  the  Oar 

he  called  the  chief  &  primary  Power 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  213 

Thursday  21. 

Lazv  Fellows!  Ben,  Bob,  Harry,  &  Myself  all  this 
Morning  slept  til  near  seven ! It  was  a  sleepy  Morn- 
ing tho',  for  the  Girls  to  give  us  countenance  slept  too 

My  Leisure  time  to  Day  is  spent  in  forming  my 

Latin    Exegesis Only    just    before    the    Sun    went 

Down  Ben  &  I  had  our  Horses  &  rode  to  our  accus- 
tomed  Resort   the   Corn-field,  now   many  of  the  Hills 

are   in    Silk We  returned  to  Coffee The   Da}^ 

has  been  very  warm ;  the  evening  is  light  &  pleasant, 
&,  Thank,  to  our  common,  &  bountiful  Preserver,  I  am 
in  good  Health 

Fry  day  22. 

My  Exegesis  goes  on  lustily;    1  have  finished  three 

pages Indeed  Sir,  says  Harry  I  cannot  reduce  7^6'' 

into   the  decimal   of   a    Pound    Sterling you    must 

reduce  7^  &:  6''  to  pence  for  a  numerator;  then  you 
must  reduce  a  Pound  Sterling  to  Pence  for  a  Denom- 
inator;   this  Numerator  you  divide  by  the  denominator 

&  the  Quotient  will  be  the  Decimal  sought Well 

Be7i  you  &  M"^  Fithian  are  invited  bv  M^.  Turberville,  to 
a  Fish  feast  to-morrow,  said  M^  Carter  when  he  entered 

the    Hall   to   Dinner I   am   uncertain   whether  my 

Latinitas  will  not  be  a  Shackle  too  heavy  to  allow  me 
to  favour  his  kind  invitation. 

Saturday  2j. 

Priscilla,  &  Fanny,  each  presented  me  with  a  fine 
Jesamine  Nose-gay  this  morning At  eight  I  dis- 
missed  the   School;   Ben,  Bob,  &  Harry  go  to  the   Fish 

Feast,  I  to  making  latin While  we  were  Dining  a 

black  turbulent  Cloud  came  over  from  the  West  (I  be- 
lieve the  Boys  will  commend  my  choice  now)   It  rained, 


214  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

it  Thundered  hard,  &  continued  exceeding  stormy  til 
after  six  in  the  Evening ;  I  spent  the  Afternoon  how- 
ever in   Quiet  &  to  advantage I  am  more  &  more 

pleased  with  my  Situation,  the  time  draws  nigh  when  I 
must  enter  on  a  new,  &  perhaps  less  agreeable  exercise 

There   were    many    at   the    River,   the    Boys   tell 

me,  among  others  Miss  Betsy  Lee I  do  not,  how- 
ever, repent  my  having  staid  at  Home The  Colonel 

shewed  me  some   Powder  which  was  made  in  Frederick 

in  this  Province It  seems  good He  charged  a 

Pistol,  it  fired  quick  &  strong 

Sunday  24.. 

I  lazy  slept  til  seven The   Boys  seem  sick  of 

their  j^esterdays  Voyage I  rode  to  Nomini-Church 

The  Parson  invited  me  home  but  we  have  com- 
pany  M^  Turbcrvillc,  ls\\  Cuiininghaui,  George  &.  Lan- 
celot Lee  dined   with   us After  the  ordinary  Toasts 

we  were  call'd  on  to  Toast  Ladies;  I  gave  Miss  Jenny 
Washington The  Lee's  came  over  to  our  School- 
Room    I    swear  says   George,    there   is  no   Devil! 

There  is  no  Devil,  I  swear! He  went  on  in  such  an 

impious,  &  at  the  same  time  whimsical  &  foolish  man- 
ner, that  I  left  the  Room,  and  went  over  to  M":  &  M^ 
Carter,  with  whom  nothing  is  heard  indecent  or  pro- 
fane  After  the   Company   were   gone   as   we   were 

walking  near  the  Poplar  Avenue,  says  M^^  Carter  how 
sweet,    &    pure    the    Air    is;    how    much    the    weather 

resembles  September ! Indeed   I   think  it  feels  like 

the  fever  &  Ague! Bob  in  the  Evening  brought  me 

Colonel  Tayloes  compliments,  who  begs  I  will  wait  on 
him  soon ;  He  wants  to  know  if  I  have  provided  a 
Tutor  for  M"?  Thornton  Mt  Leek  told  me  something 
about  coming,  but  not  til  next  Spring,  &  I  judge  that 


1774]                          JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS                            21$ 
M?  Thornton  will   be   impatient   before  that  time 


Do  you  now  indeed,  sincerely,  in  your  Heart,  Sir  says 
Ben  to  me  after  we  had  retired  to  our  Chamber,  believe 
that  there  is  a  Devil?     For  my  part,  tho'  I  made  George 

Lee  think  otherwise,  I  do  not I  told  him  that  it  was 

universally  allowed  by  writers  of  the  greatest  reputa- 
tion for  Learning  and  Religion  in  the  established  Church 
of   England,  whose   Canons   he   profess'd   to  believe  & 

adhere   to And    that,   if    he    would    attend    to    my 

advice,  he  ought  not  to  doubt  its  Reality. 

Monday  3j. 

Harry  &   Bob  go   shrugging  up   their  backs    with 
their  Coats  Buttoned  about  the  School,  first  one  then 

the  other  complaining  of  the  cold The  Girls  too, 

in  their  white  Frocks,  huddle  close  together  for  the 
benefit  of  warming  each  other,  &  look  like  a  Flock  of 
Lambs  in  the  Spring 1  wish  they  were  half  as  inno- 
cent  1  myself,  after  having  added  a  Waistcoat,  am 

notwithstanding  disagreeably  Cold The  air  is  clear, 

the  wind  strong  from  the  West 1  proceeded  in  my 

Latin  Exegesis,  &  shall,  I  hope,  shortly  be  through  it 

I   gave   to  Nancy  at   her   Request,    my  Scetch   of 

Nominy-Hall I  propose  to  take  off  one  for  my- 
self  

Teusday  26. 

The  morning  cool  enough Order  me  a  Horse 

&  Chair,  says  the  Colonel  after  Breakfast,  for  I  must 
go  to  Westmoreland-Court 1  piddled  at  my  Exege- 
sis, but  (as  they  say  here  in  Virginia)  I  did  a  mighty 

little Priscilla  after  School  invited  me  to  ride  with 

her,  but  I  had  preengaged  to  go  on  Board  the  Harriot  ; 
She  now  lies  in  Nominy  about  half  a  mile  Distant 


2l6  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Bob  conducted  me  on  board,  She  is  a  neat  vessel,  car- 
ries   1400   Bushels Bob  strip'd  &  swam   around  us 

half  an  hour Coffee;    Well,  Sir,  says  the  Colonel  at 

last  1  can  treat  you  with  several  Letters My  heart 

jumped A    fine    Repast   indeed,    valuable    because 

exceeding  rare!      But  shall  I  hear  any  thing  from 

Laura  f On  this  he  gave  me  Letters  from, 

1.  Rev^  Enoch  Green,  Dated  Feb:  1774. 

2.  From  Laura,  Dated  Feb:  13^.^  i774- 

3.  From  John   Peck   Dated   Nassau    Hall,    July   2. 

1774- 

4.  From  John  Peck  dated  Feb:  25*.''  1774- 

5.  From  the  Rev?  Andrew  Hunter,  dated  Cohan- 
sie  June  24'^  1774. 

6.  From    Andrew    Hunter    Jun":    Dated    June    24'.'' 
1774.      Cohansie. 

7.  From   M":  James   Ewing.      Dated   Bridgetown 
July  7'.h  1774. 

For  these  Letters  I  paid   12^ /^^^ Pennsylvania 

Currency,  &  I  very  proud  of  my  Bargain 

M":  Peck   informs  me  that  he  is  to  succeed  me  in 

this  place M^  Hunter   &    M':  Ewing  inform   me   of 

the  Death  of  Uncle  Ephraim  Seeley !  That  he  died  of 
a  Diabetes  which  has  long  troubled  him !      He  has  left 

no  Doubt  a  mourning  Family M^  Hiinter  writes  me 

word   that  Andrew  was   licensed   to    preach    about   the 

middle  of  June.     Laura  says They  all  express  with 

Concern  the  great  Commotions  which  at  present  exist 
through  the  Colonies. 

Wednesday  2j. 

Somehow   I    have   taken   a   bad   Cold,    &   am    low- 
spirited  to  Day The  Colonel  was  all  the  forenoon 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  217 

down  at  the  Harriot  in  the  Sun,  so  that  when  he  went 

in   to  dine  he   seem'd  fatigued  &  eat  nothing We 

have  an  addition  to  our  numerous  Family,  one   M^ 

I  forgot  his  name,  he  is  a  Cooper,  tho',  &  an  Irishman, 
&  seems  to  be  pretty  smart;  I  sat  the  Evening  with 
him  in  M":  Randolphs  Room. 

Thursday  28. 

Evening,    after  the    Sun    had    gone,    with    Priss    I 
walked    in    the   Garden,    we    gathered  some    few   Figs 

which  are   just  growing  ripe My    leisure    to    Day 

1  spent  in  finishing  off  my  Latin  Exercises. 

Fry  day  2g. 

I  feell  wholly  relieved  of  my  cold I   wrote  & 

sent  to  the  Post  a  Letter  to  M":  JoJin  Peck,  to  remind  & 

&  hurry  him  in  his  way  here O!  it  is  very  hot 

The  wind  itself  seems  to  be  heated  I — —We  have  a  fine 
Room,  &  sufficiently  open;  &  I  dress  in  a  thin  Waist- 
Coat,  &  a  loose,  light  linen  Gown ;  The  Boys,  Harry  & 
Bob  have  nothing  on,  in  School,  but  their  shirts  & 
Breeches;  &  I  laugh'd  cordially  to  see  the  contrivance 
of  Fanny,  the  loveliest  of  them  all,  to  grow  cool,  She 
set  on  a  low  bench,  &  put  her  Hand  in  her  pocket,  & 

seem'd  exceeding  diligent  in  looking  for  something 

But  before  She  took  out  her  hand  She  had  off  both  her 

Stockings,    &    left    them   both   in    her   pocket ! Mi:^ 

Carter  in  particular  seems  to  be  overcome  with  the 
extreme  Heat,  &  looks  like  a  fainting,  expiring  yet 
lovely  Creature! At  seven  I  rode  out  to  the  Corn- 
field, the  Sun  was  almost  down,  &  was   hid   behind  a 

large  thick  Cloud   where  it  Thunders The  Corn  is 

roll'd  up  with  the  heat  &  Drouth  !  Yet  it  is  strange 
there  is  no  Musquetoes 1   have  seen  one  &  heard 


2l8  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

another,  &  this  is  the  whole  compliment   I   have  either 

seen,  heard  or  felt  since   I   have   been   in    Virginia 

While  we  were  drinking  Coffee  the  Lightning,  as  it 
began  to  grow  Dark,  began  to  stream,  it  was  at  some 

Distance,  but  was  incessant,  bright,  &  awful The 

Colonel,  however  sat,  &  with  unmoved  Composure 
observed  it ; 

Saturday  jo. 

The  Weather  is  something  cooler  &  bearable  this 

Morning Frank  Christien  one  of  M^  Lowe's  Scholars 

came  to   visit  Harry  &  Bob,  so  that   I   discharged  them 

about  eleven,  &  retired  to  my  Chamber  to  writing 

I  sent  M^  George  Lee  a  note  this  morning  begging  him 
to  excuse  Be7t  &  I  from  attending  his  Fish-Feast  this 

Day Captain  Dobby  dined  with  us;    he  is  a  Man  of 

much  Spirit  &  Humour;    A  great  Mimick 

He  acquainted  us  that  at  Hobbe's-Hole  this  Day  is 
a  Boat-Race  on  the  River  Rappahannock  Each  Boat 
is   to   have  7  Oars :    to   row  2    Mile  out  &   2   Miles  in 

round  a  Boat  lying  at  Anchor The  Bett  50^ 

And  that  in   the  Evening  there  is  a  great  Ball  to  be 

given 1   believe  both  X\\e  Rowers  Si  da7icers,  as  well 

Ladies  as  Gentlemen  will  perspire  freely Or  in  plain 

English  they  will  soak  in  Sweat!  The  Captain  invited 
us  on  Board  his  Ship  next  Teusday  to  Dine  with  him 
&  wish  them  a  pleasant  Passage  as  the  Ship  is  to  Sail 
the  day  following If  the  Weather  is  not  too  burn- 
ing hot  I  shall  go  provided  the  Others  go  likewise. 
Ben  towards  evening  rode  to  Colonel  Tayloe's 

Sunday  ji. 

Daddy  Giunby  %2.\\  me  walking 1   had  just  got 

up,    it    was   early    I    had   only    a   Gown   thrown    round 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  219 

me He  walked  towards  me Well  Master  you 

never  call  for  no   Eggs,   I   can  now  give  you  a    Water 

Melon No,  Thomas,  with  your  Wife  &  family  enjoy 

these  things,  I  am  well  provided  for Well,  Master, 

I  promised  you  Eggs,  for  writing  you  will  think  I  never 
designed  to  pay  you God  yonder  in  Heaven  Mas- 
ter will  burn  Lyers  with  Fire  &  Brimstone  !  1 speak 

Truth  I  will  not  deceive  you  Men  are  wicked,  Mas- 
ter; look  see  the  Grass  is  burnt;  God  burns  it  to 
punish   us!      Is   the  ground   dry,  Dadda.     O!   all  dry, 

all  burnt Pray,  Pray,  Master,  do  you  go  to  Church? 

No  Dadda  it  is  too  hot Too  hot,  Good  God,  too 

hot!      I  shall  affront  you,  Master Too  hot  to  serve 

the    Lord !       Why    I    that  am   so    old   &    worn    out    go 

on  Foot. 1  felt  a  little  non   pluss'd,  I   confess,  but 

walk'd   to   my    Room    &    went    none    to    Church 1 

expected   that    we    should  have  had   prayrs    at    home, 

but  it  was  not  mentioned Fanny  towards   Evening 

brought  me  half  a  Water-Melon 1  accepted  &  thank'd 

the  little  pretty  chit,  she  seems  so  artless,  &  delicate 

I  esteem  her  exceedingly 1  walked  out  about  Sunset, 

when  it  is  a  little  cool,  along  the  River  Nominy 

MoxDA  y  August  I'.'  1774. 

The    Colonel    rode    to    Richmond    Court The 

morning  very   hot A   Cloud    appeared    about  two 

o  Clock  as  we  were  going  to  Dinner  in  the  West  where 

it    thundered M?    Carter    kept    her    Chamber 

There  is  almost  no  Rain I  looked  to  day  over  D^ 

Burncy's^  present   State   of   Musick   in   Germany I 

'  Dr.  Charles  Burney's  Present  State  of  Music  in  Germany,  The  Nether- 
lands, and  United  Provinces  (Lond.  2  v.  8vo,  1773)  ;  but  he  is  best  known  by 
his  General  History  of  Music,  from  the  Earliest  Ages  to  the  Present  Period 
(Lond.,  4  V.  4to,  1776-89'). 


220  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

think  it  more  entertaining  than  realy  useful Ben  to 

Day  begun  the  Eneid Poor  M^  Randolph  seems  to 

be  sickening  with  the  Ague  &  Fever  ! Evening  the 

Colonel  returned  &  gave  us  Captain  Dobby's  repeated 
Invitation. 

Teusday  2. 

Ben  &  I  drest  ourselves  pretty  early  with  an  inten- 
tion to  Breakfast  with  Colonel  Tayloe,  but  the  Servant 
who  went  with  us  was  so  slow  in   preparing  that  we 

breakfasted  before  we  set  out We  arrived  at  Colonel 

Tayloe's^   however  by   half  after  nine The  young 

Ladies  we  found  in  the  Hall  playing  the  Harpsichord 

The    morning  cool   with   a  fine   Breeze  from   the 

North  for  I  forgot  to  mention  that  about  Midnight  last 
Night  a  violent  Gust  of  Blackness,  Rain,  &  Thunder 
came  on   &  gave  us  present  relief  from  the  scorching 

Sun  ;    there  was  no  Dust  &  the  riding  was  pleasant 

The  Colonel,  his  Lady,  Miss  Polly, ^  Miss  Kitty,  Miss 
Sally,  rode  in  their  Great  Coach  to  the  Ferry Dis- 
tance about  4  miles Ben  &   I  on   Horseback 

From  Colonel  Tayloe's  to  this  Ferry  opposite  to  Hobb's 
Hole  the  Land  is  levil  &  extremely  good ;  Corn  here 
looks  very  rank  is  set  thick  with   Ears,  &  they  are  high 

&   large,  three  commonly   on   a   Stalk Here   I   saw 

about  an  Acre  &  a  half  of  Flax,  which  the  people  were 

just  pulling,  exceedingly  out  of  Season This  is  the 

only  Flax   I   have  seen  since  I  have  been  in  the  Colony; 

I  am  told  they  raise  much  in  the  upper  Counties 

Here   too   is  a  great   Marsh  covered   with   thick   high 

Reed The  Face  of  this  part  of  the  Country  looks 

fertile,  but  I   apprehend  it  is  far  from   being  healthy 

'  Colonel  John  Tayloe  of  Mount  Airy.     See  note  2,  page  148. 
^  See  note  2,  page  149. 


Mount  Airv 
Richmond   Coiintv    X'irofinia 


[1774 
repealcU 


ttv  early  with  an  intcn- 

,  but  the  Servant 

A    in  p  ;■  that  we 

— We  a.  .  iv^v^i  at  Colonel 


after  nine The  young 

ing  the  Harpsichord 
:ie   Br<  m   the 

;l>.M!i   .  __.  -.-,-;ht  last 

violent   l^va'i/  [/  i,  &  Thunder 

on   &  gave  us  prcsiiit    rcii.M    imm  the  scorching 

Kinii^-rrV    vlriwoO   bf)0(firl'ji>l  .     i  ,^j. 


Miss 


oh 


itofS*  h<^' 

Mnce  I  have  been  in  the  Colony; 

•"'-   ■"  *'  '     ■per  Counties 

with   thick   hi,^:. 
^  part  Jountry  looks 

!   is  far  iiom   being  healthy 


)unt  Airy.     Sc-. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  221 

We  came  to  the  Bank  of  the  Rappahannock ;   it  is 

here  about  2  Miles  over  the  Shipping-  on  the  other  Side 
near  the  Town  lying  at  Anchor  looks  fine;  no  large 
Vessels    can   haul    along  the    Wharves    on   account    of 

shoal   Water There   were   six   Ships   riding  in  the 

Harbour,  and  a  number  of  Schooners  &  smaller  Ves- 
sels  Indeed,  says  M?  Tayloe,   Captain  Dobby  has 

forgot  us,  here  we  have  been  waiting  for  a  full  half 
hour,   shall  we  take  the  Ferry  Boat   Colonel  &  cross 

over,  &  not  stand  any  longer  in  the  burning  heat? 

I  was  pleased  not  a  little  with  the  proposal,  tho'  at  the 
same  time,  I  laughed  with  myself  at  M":*  Tayloe's  truely 

Womanish   impatience  I At   last    they   are    coming 

The  long-Boat  came,  well  furnished  with  a  large 

Awning,  and  rowed  with  four  Oars We  entered  the 

Ship  about  half  after  twelve  where  we  were  received 
by  Captain  Dobby,  with  every  possible  token  of  wel- 
come  

Since  I  have  been  in  Virginia,  my  inclination,  & 
my  fixed  purpose  before  I  left  home,  both  of  which 
were  very  much  assisted  by  a  strict  Attention  to  the 
instructing  my  little  Charge,  these  have  kept  me  pretty 
constantly,  almost  wholly,  indeed  out  of  that  kind  of 
Compan}^  where  dissipation  &  Pleasure  have  no  re- 
straint   This    entertainment    of    Captain    Dobby's, 

elegant  indeed,  &  exceeding  agreeable,  I  consider  as 
one  among  a  prodigeous  throng  of  more  powerful  simi- 
lar Causes,  of  the  fevers  &  other  Disorders  which  are 
common  in  this  Colony,  &  generally  attributed  to  the 
Climate  which  is  thought  to  be  noxious  &  unhealthy. 
The  Weather  here  indeed  is  remarkably  variable  But 
taking  awa}'  &  changing  the  usual  and  necessary  Time 
of  Rest;  Violent  Exercise  of  the  Body  &  Spirits;  with 
drinking  great  quantities  of  variety  of  Liquors,  these 


222  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

bring  on  Virginia  Fevers The  Beaufort  is  a  stately 

Ship ;  Captain  Dobby  had  an  Awning  from  the  Stern 
over  the  Quarter  quite  to  the  Mizen-Mast,  which  made 
great  Room,  kept  off  the  Sun,  &  yet  was  open  on  each 
Side  to  give  the  Air  a  free  passage.  At  three  we  had 
on  Board  about  45  Ladies,  and  about  60  Gentlemen 
besides  the  Ships  Crew,  &  Waiters  Servants  &c.     We 

were    not   throng'd  at  all,   &  dined   all  at   twice I 

was  not  able  to  inform  myself,  because  it  seemed  im- 
proper to  interrupt  the  General  pleasure,  with  making 
circumstantial  inquiries  concerning  Individuals,  &  say- 
ing pray.  Sir,  what  young  Lady  is  that  yonder  in  a 
Lute-String  Gown?  She  seems  genteel;  where  does 
her  Father  live?  Is  she  a  Girl  of  Family  &  Breeding? 
Has  She  any  Suitors?  This  when  one  could  not  be 
out  of  the  Inspection  of  the  Company,  would  have 
seemed  impertinent  so  that  I  did  not  much  enlarge  my 
Acquaintance  with  the  Ladies,  which  commonly  seems 
pleasing  &;  desirable  to  me;  But  I  took  Notice  of  Sev- 
eral, &  shall  record  my  remarks 

The  Boats  were  to  Start,  to  use  the  Language 
of  Jockeys,  immediately  after  Dinner;  A  Boat  was 
anchored  down  the  River  at  a  Mile  Distance Cap- 
tain   Dobby    and    Captain    Benson    steer'd   the    Boats   in 

the  Race Captain  Benson  had   5  Oarsmen;    Captain 

Dobby  \\?lA  6 It   was  Ebb-Tide The   Betts  were 

small &  chiefly  given  to  the  Negroes  who  rowed 

Captain   Benson    won    the    first    Race Captain 

Purchace  offered  to  bett  ten  Dollars  that  with  the  same 
Boat  &  same  Ilands,  onl}'  having  Liberty  to  put  a 
small    Weight    in    the    Stern,    he    would    beat   Captain 

Benson He   was   taken,   &  came   out  best  only  half 

the  Boats  Length About  Sunset  we  left  the  Ship,  & 

went  all  to  Hobb's  Hole,  where  a  Ball  was  agreed  on 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  223 
This  is  a  small  Village,  with  only  a  few  Stores,  & 


Shops,  it  is  on  a  beautiful  River,  &  has  I  am  told  com- 
monly six,  eight,  &  ten  Ships  loading  before  it  the 
Crews  of  which  enliven  the  Town M":  Ritche  Mer- 
chant;' he  has  great  influence  over  the  People,  he  has 
great  Wealth;  which  in  these  scurvy  Times  gives  Sanc- 
tion to  Power;  nay  it  seems  to  give  countenance  to 
Tyranny 

The  Ball  Room. 

25    Ladies 40  Gentlemen The  Room   very 

long,  well-finished,  airy  &.  cool,  &   well-seated two 

Fidlers ^l".  Ritche  stalk'd  about  the  Room He 

was  Director,  &  appointed  a  sturd}-  two  fisted  Gentle- 
man  to  open  the  Ball  with   M":*  Tayloe He  danced 

midling  tho'.      There   were  about  six  or  eight  married 

Ladies At   last   Miss  T^/Zr/zr  danced  a   Minuet   with 

She  is  a  tall  slim  Girl,  dances  nimble  &  grace- 
ful  She  was  Ben  Carters  partner Poor  Girl  She 

has  had  the  third  Day  Ague  for  twelve  months  past, 
and  has  it  yet  She  appeared  in  a  blue  Silk  Gown  ;  her 
Hair   was  done   up   neat,    without   powder,    it   is   very 

Black  &  Set  her  to  good  Advantage Soon  after  her 

danced  'Slxss,  Dolly  Edmundsou A  Short  pretty  Stump 

of  a  Girl;  She  danced  well,  sung  a  Song  with  great 
applause,  seemed  to  enter  into  the  Spirit  of  the  enter- 
tainment  A  young  Spark  seemed  to  be  fond  of  her; 

She  seemed  to  be  fond  of  him;   they  were  both  fond,  & 

the  Company  saw   it He  was  M":  Ritche's  Clerk,  a 

limber,  well  dress'd,  pretty-handsome  Chap  he  was 

The   insinuating  Rogue   waited    on   her   home,  in   close 

'  This  was  Archibald  Ritchie,  father  of  the  celebrated  Thomas  Ritchie, 
who  was  for  many  years  editor  of  the  Richmond  '  Enquirer,"  and  afterwards 
(1845-49)  o^  'he  "  Union,"  the  organ  of  the  Polk  administration. 


224  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Hugg  too,  the  moment  he  left  the  Bali-Room Miss 

Aphia  Fatitleroy^   danced   next,    the   best  dancer  of  the 

whole  absolutely And  the  finest  Girl Her  head 

tho'    was   powdered    white   as   Snow,    &   crap'd   in    the 

newest  Taste She   is   the  Copy  of  the  goddess  of 

Modesty Very  handsome;   she  seemed  to  be  loved 

by  all  her  Acquaintances,  and  admired  by  every  Stran- 
ger, Miss  McCall Miss  Ford Miss  Brokenberry^ 

Ball Two   of    the   younger    Miss   Ritche  s 

Miss  Wade They  danced  till  half  after  two,  Captain 

Ritche  invited  Ben  &  I,  Colonel  Tayloe  &  his  Family 

with  him We  got  to  Bed  by  three  after  a  Day  spent 

in  constant  Violent  exercise,  &  drinking  an  unusual 
Quantity  of  Liquor;  for  my  part  with  Fatigue,  Heat, 
Liquor,  Noise,  Want  of  sleep.  And  the  exertion  of  my 
Animal  spirits,  I  was  almost  brought  to  believe  several 
times  that  I  felt  a  Fever  fixing  upon  me,  attended  with 
every  Symptom  of  the  Fall  Disorders 

Wednesday  j. 

We  were  call'd  up  to  Breakfast  at  half  after  eight 

We  all  look'd  dull,  pale,  &  haggard! From  our 

Beds  to  Breakfast Here  we  must  drink  Hot  Coffee 

on  our  parching  Stomachs! But  the  Company  was 

enlivening Three  of  the   Miss  Tayloe's Three 

Miss  Ritche's And  Miss  Fantlcroy This  love- 
liest of  all  the  Ring  is  yet  far  below Laura     If  they 

were  set  together  for  the  choice  of  an  utter  Stranger; 
he  would  not  reflect,  but  in  a  moment  spring  to  the 
Girl   that   I   mean   to   regard After   Breakfast  the 

'  A  daughter  of  Col.  William  Fauntleroy  of  Richmond  County.  She 
married  Captain  John  Champe  Carter  of  Revolutionary  fame,  a  nephew  of 
Charles  Carter  of  Shirley. 

'  For  Brockenbrough. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  22$ 

young   Ladies  favoured  us  with  several  Tunes  on  the 

Harpsichord They  all  play  &  most  of  them  in  good 

Taste at  eleven  we  went  down  to  the  River;   the 

Ships  Long  Boat  was  waiting.  Captain  Purchace  of  the 

Beaufort^  helped  us  on  Board 1  gave  the  Boatswain 

a  Pisterene  for  his  trouble Half  a  Bit  for  the  Pas- 
ture  of   my    Horse We   rode  to   Colonel  Tayloe's 

The  Ladies  all  retired  for  a  nap  before  Dinner,  we 

sat  in  the  Hall,  &  conversed  with  the  Colonel  a  sensi- 
ble, agreeable  Sociable  person Miss  Garrot  is  Gov- 
erness of  the  young  Ladies;  she  too  is  chatty,  satirical, 
neat,    civil,    had   many   merry   remarks  at  Dinner,    we 

staid  till  about  six     took  our  Leave,  &  rode  Home 

Found  all  well ;  gave  an  account  of  ourselves,  of  our 
entertainment,  &  of  our  Company  to  M*;  &  M":^  Carter 
at  Coffee &  retired  soon  to  Bed 

TJmrsday  ^. 

I  made  out  to  get  up  by  seven A  little  fatigued 

tho' Many  are  sickening   with   a    Fever,    &   great 

numbers  have  the   Ague Protect   me   if  it  be  thy 

will,   God  of  my  Life,   &   give   me   a   Heart   to   praise 

thy    name  for  all  my    Favours Dined   with   us   the 

Inspector 1   walked  through   the   Garden,    several 

times  banishing  my  solitude,  as  much  as  possible  reflec- 
ting on  several  Days  past. 

Fry  day  5. 

I  have  no  Stockings,  &  I  swear  I  wont  go  to  the 

Dancing  School     This  was  the  first  I  heard  of  Bob 

Are    Bob  &   Nancy  gone  -to   Mi:   Turberville's  said   the 

Colonel  at  Breakfast Nancy  is  gone  Sir,  Bob  stays 

at  Home  he  has  no  shoes! poh !   What  nonsense! 

says  the  Colonel He  sent  M^  Randolph  to  the  Store 


226  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

for  a  pair  of  Shoes,  Bob  he  took  to  his  Study  and  flogg'd 
severely  for  not  having  given  seasonable  Notice,  &  sent 
him  instantly  to  the  Dance 

Saturday  6. 

Last  night.  &  this  morning  haizy  mistty  the  Wind 
South  East  threatens  a  Rain  — —  Transcribing  my 
pieces,  yesterday  and  to  Day I  had  a  strong  invi- 
tation to  D!  Thompsons  Fish-Feast,  but  the  Rainy 
Weather    hindred ;    I   spent   the   Day  in    Quiet  in  my 

Chamber  writing Dadda  Gumby  sent  me  a   small 

Water-Melon. 

Sunday  j. 

I  set  out  for  Church It  was  cloudy,  it  Thun- 
dered in  the  West ;    But  I  rode  on  Bob  was  with  me 

We  arrived  at  the  Church  &  had  our  Saddles  put 

into  a  Chariot When  a  violent  Gust  came  on 

We  were  all  in  the  Church :    many  Ladies  were  present 

The  Thunder  was  violent  I     Many  discovered  great 

Terror Neither  the  Parson,  nor  Clerk  attended 


There  we  sat  in  Silence  til  the  Storm  was  over,  when 

each  sallied  out  &  splashed  homewards M^  &  M"? 

Carter  were  to  have  gone  bv  Water Thev  had  set 

off  But  saw  the  Cloud  befor  they  had  rowed  far,  & 
wisely  returned Towards  Evening  Miss  Betsy  Car- 
ter, Miss  Polly  Carter^  of  Richmond,  &  Miss  Turberville 
came  over  to  see  our  Girls.  Miss  Betsy  plays  the 
Harpsichord  extremely  well,  better  I  think  than  any 
young  Lady  I  have  seen  in  Virginia. 


*  Daughters  of  Landon  Carter  of   Sabine   Hall,    in    Richmond   County 
See  note  i,  page  201. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  227 

Monday  8. 

All  once  more  in  School Dined  with  us  George 

Lee  &.  yil  Grubb The_v  spent  the  afternoon  at   the 

great  House After  Coffee  Lee  rode  Home Mf 

Grubb  staid  with  us  all  night Dennis  came  into  our 

Room  to  bring  us  a  Bowl  of  Punch;  Grubb  shut  the 
Door,  and  accused  him  of  having  been  caught  with 
Bett,  the  Dairy  Girl,  in  the  Stable  last  Saturday  Night 

Dennis    seem'd    in   great  distress,   he    denied    the 

Fact  tho'   with    great   steadiness Nelson   our  Boy 

came  in  with  a  candle Dennis  here,  says  Grubb  to 

Nelson,  has  been  accusing  you,  Sir,  of  several  crimes; 
he  says  3'ou  gave  him  half  a  Bitt  last  Saturday  Night, 

to   stand  at   the   Stable-Door  while  he  with  Bett 

Nelson    star'd Grubb    opened   a   huge  Molls  Atlas 

that  lay  in  the  Room ;  &  read  off  their  Case  &  indict- 
ment  The    Boys    seem'd    crazy We    dismissed 

them  when  all  the  novelt}"  was  over,  but  the}-  darted 

like  Indians  so   soon  as  the}-  were  at  liberty We 

sat  up  til  eleven Ben  drank  for   his    Toast,   Miss 

Julia  Stockton^  of  New  Jersey;  Grubb  Miss  Betsy  Car- 
ter  1  with  pleasure  the  Rival  of  them  all 

Teusday  g. 

I  propose  to  visit  Dt  Jones  to  Day,  say's  M?  Carter 

at  Breakfast See  &  have  the  Carriage  ready  for  me 

by  ten  o-Clock  Benny She  took  with  her  Priss,  & 

Nancy We  have  a  thin  School M^  Grubb  dined 

with  us Staid  til  evening,  when  with  Ben  he  rode 

home 1   finished  &  glad   enough   I    feel   my   Latin 

Thesis The  "Weather  is  now  very  tolerable,  we  had 

to  Day  a  fine  Shower  about  twelve 

•■  Perhaps  Jiilia,  dang-hter  of  Richard  Stockton,  the  Signer,  -who  married 
Benjamin  Rush,  M.D. 


228  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  10. 

All  in  School Miss  Fanny  very  much  troubled 

with   the   festered    Bites   of   Seed   Ticks M\  Stadley, 

whom  I  always  see  with  Pleasure  came  towards  even- 
ing  After  School  he  gave  the  Girls  a  lesson  each 

About  Six  we  have  a  fine  Shower,  with  Thunder 

and  Lightning,  especially  in  the  evening  the  Lightning 
Sharp. 

Thursday  il. 

Dined   with    us   two   Gentlemen   Names    unknown 

They  informed  us  that  a  Flux  is  in  a  neighbouring 

County,    of    which    many    die ! The    Ague    too    is 

grov/ing  frequent     Fanny  has  a  fit  this  afternoon I 

begin  to  be  a  little  alarmed  at  the  early  approach  of 
these  Disorders,  which  I  fear  will  be  distressful  here! 
Through  the  kindness  of  heaven   I  am  yet  in  perfect 

health M^  Carter  &  M^  Stadley  performed  both  on 

the  harmonica  I  am  charm'd  with  the  Sounds!  The 
melody  is  swelling,  grave  &  grand!  The  weather 
vastly  hot 

Fry  day  12. 

Very  hot Sam  our  Barber  is  Seized  with  the 

Ague  &  Fever Fanny  is  confined  to  her  chamber 

with  a  Fever  occasioned,  1  am  apt  to  believe,  by  the 
inflamed  bites  of  the  Seed-Ticks,  which  cover  her  like  a 

distinct  Small    Pox. Dined   with  us   by   particular 

invitation,   M":  Tnrbervillc  s  Family,  and   Miss  Betsy  Lee 

The  conversation  at  Table  was  on  the  Disorders 

which   seem   growing  to   be   epidemical.  Fevers,  Agues, 

Fluxes A  gloomy  train! Fearing  these,  I  keep 

myself  at  home;  make  my  diet  sparing  &  uniform;  Use 
constant  moderate  Exercise;   Drink  as  little   Wine  as 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  229 

possible,  &  when  I  must  drink  Toasts  I  never  fail  to 
dilute  them  well  with  Water;  I  omit  almost  every 
kind  of  fruit ;  &  make  my  time  for  Sleeping  from  Night 
to   Night  the  same,  Viz  to   Bed  by  ten,  &  rise   b}^  six 

invariably 1  never  lived  so  much  by  Rule  as  I  do 

this  Summer;    &  I  am  taught  the  Art,  &  have  a  Steady 

example  in  M^  &   M?  Carter M^  Stadley  played  on 

the  Harpsichord  &  harmonica  several  Church  Tunes  & 
Anthems,  with  great  propriety 

Saturday  ij. 

Prissy  took  the  Ague  last  Night,  She  had  an  easy 

Fit This  Morning  is  quite  cold,  &  will,  I  fear  hasten 

on  or  at  least  provoke  the  present  disorders The 

good  M^  Stadley  left  us  this  morning  Breakfasted  with 
us  a  Gentleman  from  Maryland.  At  Dinner  he  was 
join'd   by    another   from    the    same    Province   they   are 

both  unknown 1   rode  out  with   M{s,s  Prissy  to  the 

Cornfield    for    Exercise We    gathered    &    brought 

home  some  good  Roasting-Ears  of  Corn Evening 

came  in  Colonel  Henry  Lee  He  is  chosen  ^  to  be  one  of 
the   seven   who   represent   this   Colony   in   the   general 

Congress  to  be  held  next  month  in   Philadelphia 

He  starts  out  next  Sunday  night 

Sunday  i/j.. 

Colonel    Lee    stays    Breakfast    (to    Speak    in    the 

phrase  of  Ladies) The  morning  fine Sermon  is 

to  Day  at  Ucomico  so  that  I  am  to  stay  in  my  Room  ; 
Ben^  however,  &  Bob,  &  Harry,  &  M"!  Randolph  all  go 
Fanny  is  yet  confin'd  to  her  Chamber 

*  By  the  first  convention  of  Virginia,  August  1-6,  1774.    Richard   Henry 
Lee  is  intended. 


230  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Monday  75. 

Began  a  Letter  to  Jack  Peck,  giving  him  advice  in 

Respect  to  his  coming  into  this  Colony The  People 

are  better,  only  Miss  Fanny  with  her  Sores  continues 
in   her   Chamber;    I    bought  &   sent   her   however   this 

evening  a  present  a  \?irge.  Musk  Melon Dined  with 

us  Squire  Lee,  he  talks  of  going  to  Philadelphia  to  the 
Congress;  He  informs  us  that  in  Maryland  is  a  Tea- 
Ship,  from  the  India  Company 

Teusday  16. 

The  Colonel  is  summoned  to  a  Meeting  of  Vestry- 
Men,'  at    the    Glebe Nothing    very   extraordinary 

occurs,  unless  I  mention  that  Bob  in  the  former  part  of 
this  Day  kept  very  quiet  in  his  Seat,  and  worked  out 
three    Sums    in    Reduction    compound    without    much 

direction! About  five  from  the  South  East  came  on 

suddenly  a  Gust  of  Rain  &  Wind,  Evening  the  Colonel 
returned  but  a  good  deal  vexed One  of  the  Mem- 
bers were  absent  so  that  the  Remainder  could  do  no 
Business 

Wednesday  ly. 

This   Day   is   the  annual    Examination   at   Nassau- 
Hall 1    wish   the   candidates    Success,    &   Honour. 

Last  year  I  had  the  Pleasure  to  be  present  &  hear  the 

Examination 1  saw  Laura  too;   &  the  Vixen  abused 

me!  She  shall  repent  of  that  insult;  Indeed  She  must 
feel,  tho'  I  wound  myself  in  the  experiment,  the  Conse- 

^A  list  of  the  Vestry  of  Cople  Parish  in  1755,  as  given  in  Meade's  Old 
Churches  of  Virginia,  is  as  follows:  "John  Bushrod,  Daniel  Tibbs,  Richard 
Lee  ("Squire"  Lee  of  Lee  Hall),  Benedict  Middleton,  Willowby  Newton, 
Robert  Middleton,  George  Lee,  John  Newton,  Samuel  Oldham,  Robert  Car- 
ter, Fleet  Cox,  and  Thomas  Steptoe." 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  23 1 

quence  of  Slighting  good-humour  &  Civility There 

likewise  I  saw  Belinda^  my  late  agreeable  Correspond- 
ent.    She  had  left  town  this  unlovely  Month,  for  the 

Benefit    of    Princeton's    pure    salubrious    Air She 

laboured  in  a  Consumption     There  too  I  took  my  last 

fare-well! For  soon  after  her  return  to  Town  the 

disorder  fixed,  &  in  a  few  Months  destroy'd  a  wise,  use- 
ful, religious  G'xxX Her  death  surely  was  untimely, 

since  she  took  with  her  all  her  virtues,  which,  with 
great  pleasure  &  Sincerity  She  used  to  diffuse  among 

her  giddy  Equals ! I  am  at  a  Loss  to  express  my 

feeling  for  the  Death  of  a  young  Lady,  with  whom  I 

had   only  a   short,   yet    a   beneficial   Intimacy The 

Circumstance  of  my  first  Acquaintance  with  her  was 
wholly  Accidental,  yet  I  soon  believed  &  accounted  it 

advantageous 1  thought  her  capable  of  improving 

me  with  Sentiment,  &  I  speedily  found  that  my  expec- 
tation was  true We  commenced  a  Litterary  Cor- 
respondence, of  which  I  only  say  that  She  always 
express'd  herself  with  so  much  Truth,  Ease  &  Humour 
as  to  make   me   read  her  Letters   with   eagerness  and 

satisfaction If  I   would  record  a  Motto  for  her,  it 

Should  be "Virtue  without  Melancholy."  Break- 
fasted &  dined  with  us  two   Gentlemen  from  Maryland 

They  came  over  for  the  benefit  of  M":  Carter  s  Mill; 

as  Mills  are  scarce  near  the  Potowmack  in  Maryland; 

but  the  reason  I  am  a  stranger  to Read  some  in  Df 

Swift Writing  on  to  M^  Peck The  weather  is 

close  &  this  evening  I  heard  two  Musquetoes,  onl}'  one 

of  which  ventured  to  light  upon  me 1  dare  say  they 

are  thicker  at  Cohansie! Each  Wednesday  &  Satur- 
day we  dine  on  Fish  all  the  Summer,  always  plenty  of 
Rock,  Perch,  &  Crabs,  &  often  Sheeps-Head  and  Trout! 

'Probably  Polly  Bullock,  mentioned  on  page  155. 


232  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Thursday  18. 

Very  ill  most  of  last  night  with  a  violent   Dysen- 
tery ;    I  fear  a  frequency  of  this  disease  will  at  length 

fix  &  ruin  me^ It  continues  to  Day,  &  with  no  less 

rage,  I   cannot  eat  nor  drink,   am  low    Spirited  Think 

constantly  of  Home  ; Sometimes  repent  my  having 

come  into  this  Colony,  &  blame  myself  for  having  been 
persuaded  to  turn  out  of  my  road  to  public  Business 

But  when   I   reflect  closely  I  justify  the  Conduct, 

&  resign  myself  Body  &  Soul  &  Employment  to  God  who 
has  the  Hearts  of  all  in  his  hand,  &  who  I  am  per- 
suaded, if  he  has  anything  for  me  to  do  in  Life,  will 
preserve,  &  in  a  measure  fit  me  for  it,  if  not,  I  am  in 

his  Hand,  let  him  do  as  seems  good  in  his  Eyes At 

Dinner  the  Colonel  invited  me  to  ride  with  him  to  a 
Mill  of  his  which  is  repairing,  about  eight  miles  Dis- 
tance;  I  accepted  his  Invitation,  gave  the  children  a 
few  Hours  for  Play,  &  went  with  the  Colonel  Ben  was 

along The  Face  of  the  earth  seems  covered  with 

mocking-Birds,   but   not   one  of  them   sing,  they   seem 

vastly  busy  but  it  is  in  collecting  Food Not  a  bird, 

except  now  &  then  Robbin-Redbrcast  is  heard  to  sing  in 

this  Feverish   Month Nature   seems  cheerless  and 

gloomy !  The  Evening  is  hot,  but  the  Ride  was  agree- 
able, it  was  useful  too ;  for  I  grew  much  better ;  The 
Jolting  of  the  Horse  seemed  salutary,  my  Pain  sub- 
sided, I  returned  almost  wholly  relieved  in  the  even- 
ing, drank  my  Coffee,  went  soon  to  my  Room,  gave 
thanks  to  my  divine  restorer,  &  laid  me  down  to 
rest 


'  A  foreboding  soon  to  be  realized.  Falling  a  victim  to  this  malady,  which 
ravaged  the  army  camps,  Philip  Fithian  died  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
October  8,  1776. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  233 

Fry  day  ig. 

I  slept  through  the  night  in  qtiiet  and  ease,  &  rose 
perfectly  relieved.  M":  Carter  at  Breakfast  advised  me 
to    take    with   him   Some   Salt-Pctrc,  as   a  useful  Dieu- 

retick  but  I  declin'd M"!  Griibb  came  in  about  twelve 

o-clock  from  Sabine-Hall.  Colonel  Carter^  gave  an 
Entertainment  yesterday  to  celebrate  his  Birth-day ;  & 
had  a  numerous  &  gay  Company. This  young  Gen- 
tleman (M":  Grubby  appears  to  be  a  person  of  Capacity  & 
Improvement;  he  was  Educated  in  England,  &  has 
been  assistant  to  a  Merchant  on  James's  River  in  this 
Colony  for  some  time  past.     This  Summer  he  has  been 

totally  Idle He  proposes   week  after  week  to   set 

out  for  Williamsburg,  &  Sail  thence  home,  but  he 
stays,  He  has  much  good  nature,  is  an  agreeable  com- 
panion  I  pity  him. He  seems  fond  of  yixss  Betsy 

Lee But  he  is  too  fluctuating  in  his  mind  to  settle 

there,  or  with  any  Girl  whatever  yet 

Saturday  20. 

Beti,    Ml   Taylor,  M^   Grubb,   &  Harry  went    to    the 

Potowmack  to   a  Fish   Feast Come,  Fithian,  what 

do  you  mean  by  keeping  hived  up  sweating  in   your 

Room Come  out  &  air  yourself But  I  choose 

to  stick  by  the  Stuff.  The  Colonel  too,  very  kindly, 
offered  me  a  Seat  in  his  Chariot  to  Nomini  Court 
House,  but  I  declin'd     M":  Lane  &  M^  Warden  came  in 

towards  evening Both  in  high  Spirits,  But  lAl  Lane 

was  (as   they  say)   "Half   Seas  over" they   sat   & 

chated  noisily  til  nine Evening  clear  &  full  Moon, 

'  Col.  Landon  Carter  of  Sabine  Hall,  in  Richmond  County,  an  uncle  of 
the  Councillor's.  Sabine  Hall  is  still  standing  ;  it  was  built  by  Col.  Landon 
Carter  in  1730,  and  remains  today  a  fine  type  of  the  old  colonial  houses  of 
Virginia. 


234  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

&  very  light Our  neighbourhood  seems  alive  with 

little  Negro  Boys  playing  in  every  part 

Sunday  21 . 

Nomini    Church Parson   Smith   gave  us  after 

Prayrs,  which  he  was  obliged  to  read  himself,  a  useful 

Sermon ;  poor  man  he  seemed  to  labour  hard Dined 

with  us  Captain  Walker,  W.  Lane,  M?  Lane,  Vi\  Wad- 
man,  yi\  Warden. 

Soon  after  Dinner  I  left  the  company  &  retired  to 
my  chamber  where  I  seem  commonly  most  happy 

Monday  22. 

M":   Grubb  &   Ben   returned  last   evening They 

spent  their  Day  in  Richmond' I  wrote  to  day  sev- 
eral letters  to  Philadelphia  One  to  Miss  Webster.     To 

her  Brother.   To  John  M'.Calla  ]\xn\ To  M^  Donald 

These    I    send   by  'Squire  Lee  who  is  to  be  of  the 

Party After  School  Ben,  Grubb,  &  Myself   rode  to 

the  'Squires He    took  us  into  his   Garden,    shewed 

and  gave  us  great  Plenty  of  fine  Peaches,  Nectarines  &c 

He  has  a  large  Garden,  &  great  abundance  of  fruit 

His  People  were  shaking  the  trees  to  prepare  the 

Peaches  for  Brandy. 

Teusday  2j. 

Blessed  be  God  who  yet  preserves  me  in  perfect 
health^ Priss  has  another  titt  of  the  Ague  these  Dis- 
orders are  giving  Alarms,  in  a  few   Weeks  I  suppose 

they  will  grow  numerous  &  troublesome A  violent 

Gust  of   Wind,  Rain,  &  some  Thunder  we  had  about 

twelve  o  Clock,  the  Country  seems  to  be  afloat I 

received  this  Morning  a  Note  from  a  School  Master  in 

'  i,[e.,  Richmond  County. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  235 

the  Village,  who  signs  himself  "  Brother  Quill."  He 
sends  me  with  his  compliments  a  Question.  To  multi- 
ply  12^-12^-122'^  by  itself  in   Cross  multiplication 

And  tells  me  the  Answer  is  i6o£-i'-6'^  his  way,  Viz  by 

Decimals 1  did  not  alter  his  answer,  but  suffered 

him  to  continue  satisfied  with  his  own  performance. 

Wednesday  2^. 

Stormy A   poor   Man  arrived  from   Maryland 

with  Grain  to  grind.  It  was  wet He  saw  M^  Car- 
ter and   M":  Randolph M^  Randolph  wore  a  red  Coat 

the  Marylander  asked  Bob  which  was  the  mas- 
ter of  the    House Bob   with   his  usual    impudence 

answered,  the  Man  you  see  drest  in  a  scarlet  Coat 

Who  then  says  he  is  the  other  in  a  frowsled  Wig? 

He  is  says  Bob  my  fathers  Clerk The  Colonel  heard 

this  Anecdote  of  Bob,  which  entertained  him,  While  we 
were  dining.  I  hear  nothing  of  the  Ague  abroad,  it 
seems  to  go  by  turns,  sometimes  brief  then  exceeding 
scarce All  this  day  the  wind  North  East  rainy. 

Thursday  2j. 

Still  stormy.     The  Gentlemen  who  are  sailing  up 

the  Bay  to  the  Congress  have  a  disagreeable  time 

This   is   a   true   August   Northeaster,   as   we   call   it  in 

Cohansie Ben  is  in  a  wonderful  Fluster  lest  he  shall 

have    no    company    to-morrow    at   the    Dance But 

blow  high,  blow  low,  he  need  not  be  afraid;   Virginians 

are  of  genuine  Blood They  will  dance  or  die! 

I  wrote  some  at  my  Letter  for  M^  Peck .The  people 

here   pronounce   Shower   "Sho-er" And   what   in 

New-Jersey  we  call  a  Vendue  here  they  call  a  "  Sale" 

All  Taverns   they   call   "Ordinary's" When  a 

Horse  is  frolicsome   &   brisk,  they,    say  at   once  he  is 


236  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

' '  gayly  " she  is  mischievous,  they  call  him  ' '  vicious  " 

At  five,  with  Bob,  I  rode  out  for  exercise After 

a  while  we  arrived  at  George  Lees He  gave  us  some 

excellent  Peaches He  returned  with  us  to  M^  Tur- 

berville's We   met    here    with   Miss   Betsy  Lee,    M! 

Griibb,  Lancelot  Lee  &  here   we   spent  the  evening 

Fish-Feasts,    &    Fillies,    Loud    disputes    concerning    the 

Excellence  of  each  others  Colts Concerning  their 

Fathers,  Mothers  (for  so  they  call  the  Dams)  Brothers, 
Sisters,  Uncles,  Aunts,  Nephews,  Nieces,  &  Cousins  to 
the  fourth  Degree! All  the  Evening  Toddy  con- 
stantly circulating Supper  came  in,  &  at  Supper  I 

had  a  full,  broad,  sattisfying  View  of  Miss  Sally  Panton 
1  wanted  to  hear  her  converse,  but  poor  Girl  any- 
thing she  attempted  to  say  was  drowned  in  the  more 

polite  &  useful  Jargon  about  Dogs  &  Horses For 

my  Part,  as  I  was  unwilling  to  be  singular,  if  I  at- 
tempted to  push  in  a  word,  I  was  seldom  heard,  & 
never  regarded,  &  yet  they  were  constantly  refering 
their  Cases  to  me,  as  to  a  supposed  honest  fellow,  1 
suppose  because  I  wear  a  black  Coat,  &  am  generally 
silent;  at  Home  I  am  thought  to  be  noisy  enough;  here 

I  am  thought  to  be  silent  &  circumspect  as  a  Spy 

How  different  the  Manners  of  the  People!  I  try  to  be 
as  cheerful  as  I  can,  &  yet  I  am  blamed  for  being  stupid 
as  a  Nun 

Fry  day  26. 

M":  Christian  came  while  we  were  at  Breakfast 

Soon  after  came  Miss  Washington,  Miss  Hale  &  the  Miss 

Lee's 1  kept  m^'self  in  my  Room  pretty  Close 

Towards  evening  M?  Carter,  Miss  Washington,  Miss 
Hale,  MP  Christien  &  Myself  had  a  thorough  ramble, 
first  thro'  the  Garden We  gathered  some  Figs,  the 


1774]                          JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS                            237 
Ladies  seem  fond  of  them,  1  cannot  endure  them 


Then  we  stroll'd  down  the  Pasture  quite  to  the  River 
admiring  the  Pleasantness  of  the  evening  &  the  delight- 
some prospect  of  the  River,  Hills,  Huts  on  the  Sum- 
mits, low  Bottoms,  Trees  of  various  Kinds,  and  Sizes, 
Cattle  &  Sheep  feeding  some  near  us,  &  others  at  a 
great  distance  on  the  green  sides  of  the  Hills,  People, 
some  fishing,  others  working,  &  others  in  the   Pasture 

among  the  Horses;- The   Country  emphatically  in 

her  goodly  Variety !  I  love  to  walk  on  these  high 
Hills  where  I  can  see  the  Tops  of  tall  Trees  lower  than 

my  Feet,  at  not  half  a  miles  Distance Where  I  can 

have  a  long  View  of  many  Miles  &  see  on  the  Summits 
of  the  Hills  Clusters  of  Savin  Trees  through  these 
often  a  little  Farm-House,  or  Quarter  for  Negroes; 
these  airy  Situations  seem  to  me  to  be  the  Habitations 

of  Health,    and    Vigor We    returned,   &    all    were 

apparently   well    satisfied    with   the    walk Evening 

was  spent  jovially  in  Dancing,  at  Supper,  I  left  the 
Company,  being  not  very  well,  &  retired  to  my  Cham- 
ber, Thanks  to  my  heavenly  Father,  that  I  can  enjoy  a 
competent    Measure    of    Health    when    many    are    sick 

around A   note  from  M^  Lowe.       Miss  Betsy  Lee,  & 

her  Brother  came  in  just  at  night Miss  Lee  seems 

cheerful,  dances  well,  sings  agreeably,  appears  free  of 
formality,  &  Haughtiness  the  Common  foible  here 

Saturday  ^7. 

The   morning  spent  in  setting   coppies.   Sums   &c. 

for  the  School After  Breakfast,  I  spent  a  couple  of 

Hours  in  the  Dancing-Room V[.\  Lee  in  our  Room 

raved    against    the    Scotch He    swore    that   if    his 

Sister  should  marry  a  Scotchman,  he  would  never 
speak  with  her  again ;   &  that  if  he  ever  Shall  have  a 


238  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Daughter,  if  She  marries  a  Scotchman  he  shoots  her 
dead  at  once ! At  twelve  I  rode  to  Mt  Washing- 
tons,  the  Country  extremely  pleasant  Dined  with  the 
Parson,  his  Brother,  ySj?  Smith,  Miss  Pettit,  M^  Blain- 
M^  Buckner,  &  several  of  M^  Lowes  Boys;  M^  Lowe 
was  from  home,  On  my  return  I  found  no  company, 
except  Grubb  who  has  come  in  my  absence.  We  spent 
the  Evening  after  sipping  our  Coffee,  in  Chat  with  Mr 
&  Mr^  Carter. 

Sunday  28. 

M^  Grubb  rose  very  early,  having  yesterday  made 
every  previous  necessary  preparation,  &  set  out  for 
Home  about  One  hundred  miles  Distance. 

He  has  so  much  good  Nature,  is  always  so  cheer- 
ful, &  at  the  same  time  void  of  anything  malicious, 
clamarous  &  impudent,  that  I  cannot  but  esteem  & 
very  much  respect  him On  some  whimsical  unsub- 
stantial Miff  or  other,  however,  our  Girls  cannot  endure 

him he  wrote  them  some  Copies  the  other  Day,  & 

tho'   he  writes  a  much  finer  neater  hand  than  I  they 

would  not  allow   it,    nor  hardly Strive  to  imitate 

1  laughed  at  the  ridiculous,  the  perfect  Picture  of 

Female  Caprice,  &  Obstinacy  in  Miniature Sermon  is 

to   Day   at  Ucomico,   so   that  I   keep  my  Room 1 

wrote  several  Letters  which  are  to  be  forwarded  by 
M^.  Blain,  one  to  Jack  Peck,  one  to  John  Duffield,^  at 
D^  Shippen's  Jun^  ^  Philadelphia,  &  one  to  Laura.  I 
begun   also  a  Sermon.     I  understand  by  M"^  Carter  & 

^John  Duffield  graduated  from  Princeton  College  in  1773,  and  was  a 
tutor  at  that  institution  from  1773-75. 

*  William  Shippen,  Jr.  (1736-1806)  was  graduated  from  Princeton  College 
in  1754,  and  delivered  the  valedictory  for  his  class.  He  studied  medicine  in 
England  under  Dr.  John  Hunter  and  Dr.  McKenzie,  and  graduated  M.D.  at 
Edinburgh  in  1761.     Returning  to  America,  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  239 

Ben  who  were  at  Church,  that  the  Parson  was  unable 
to  read  Prayrs  or  Preach,  having  a  Fever,  but  that 
there  was  a  thronged  Assembly ;  many  I  am  told,  have 
the  Ague  &  Fever,  but  none  are  dangerous  or  have  it 
fixed 

Monday  2g. 

Miss  Fanny  in  School  to  Day,  but  not  entirely  well 

of  her  Sores  made  by  the  Ticks Ben  complains  of  a 

pain  in  his  breast;   he  seems  to  have  many  symptoms  of 

Weakness  in  his  breast 1  attempted  to  take  a  rough 

Draught  of  the  Great  House  for  myself Evening 

after  Coffee  the  Colonel  entertained  us  by  playing  on 
the  Harmonica. 

Teusday  jo. 

M""  Carter  rides  to  Westmoreland  Court     By  him  I 
send  my  Letters  to  M^  Blaifi,  who  is  going  to  the  Con 

gress Ben    seems   to    be    no    better;     has    a    slight 

Fever,  pain  in  his  Breast,  &  Uneasiness,  I  fear  he  is 
bordering  on  a  Consumption His  fond  Mother  dis- 
covers great  Anxiety,  &  true  affection.  Once  I  too  had 
a  fond  indulgent  Mother;  when  1  was  sick,  or  other- 
wise distress'd.  She  was  always  impatient  til  my  Health 

profession  at  Philadelphia,  and  on  Nov.  i6th,  1762,  began  the  first  course  of 
lectures  on  anatomy  ever  delivered  in  this  country,  notice  of  which  was  pub- 
lished in  The  Pennsylvania  Gazette  for  Nov.  nth,  1762.  Dr.  Shippen's 
School  of  Anatomy  continued  until  the  23rd  of  Sept.,  1765,  when  he  was 
chosen  professor  of  anatomy  and  surgery  in  the  newly  established  medical 
school  of  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  which  was  the  first  in  America.  He 
was  appointed  chief  physician  of  the  Flying  Camp,  July  15,  1776,  and  on 
April  II,  1777,  was  unanimously  elected  "  Director-General  of  all  the  Military 
Hospitals  for  the  Armies  of  the  United  States."  Dr.  Shippen  was  charged 
with  improper  administration  of  his  office,  which  led  him  to  resign  in  1781,  but 
an  investigation  before  a  military  court  failed  to  disclose  any  matters  reflecting 
on  his  integrity.     (Appleton's  Cyclopedia  of  America  Biography.) 


240  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

&  Ease  returned  ;  &  She  used  to  urge  me  likewise  by 
precept  &  example  to  strive  for  an  habitual  Prepara- 
tion for  Sickness  &  Death!  But  oh!  She  has  gone  & 
left  me,  &  Friendship  seems  to  have  been  buried  with 

her! Formality  &   Pretence  are   common   enough, 

but   Sincerity   &    affection    are    exceeding   are M^^ 

Carter  thinks  it  better  for  Ben  to  sleep  at  the  Great- 
House  til  he  grows  better,  for  the  advantage  of  giving 

him   medicine I   seem  now  when  it  is   late   in   the 

Evening,  lonely,  &  a  little  fearful,  at  least  I  think  on 
what  I  made  a  subject  for  a  merry  Hour,  when  I  was 
at  Home  last,  &  a  young  Lady  was  complaining  of 
being  fearful  at  Night,   &  afraid  to  sleep  in   a  Room 

alone There    are    now    (asleep   I   suppose)   in    this 

House,  below  Stairs  M^  Randolph,  &  M^  Burney  the 
Cooper;  two  clever  lusty  youngsters,  &  in   the  Room 

next  to  mine  Bob  &  Harry  sleep 1  feel  yet  gloomy ; 

Ben  is  missing,  &  which  is  worse,  he  is  sick 

Wednesday  ji. 

Last  Fryday,    Saturday,    Sunday,    Monday,    Teus- 
day,  &  this  Day  have  been  perfectly  fair,  but  yesterday 

&    to   Day   are    very   hot Ben    quits    reading    &   is 

quite  unwell Dined   with  us  M^  Wadtnan ;  He  is,  I 

believe,  a  Man  of  good  understanding,  but  desperate 
in  his  religious  Principles 

Thursda  V  Septemb^.   i'.'  1774. 

One   other  Calm,   sunny,  swclterhig  day     The  Col- 
onel says  it  is  the  hottest  Day  we  have  had 1  keep 

myself  caged  up  in  my  Room,  &  cannot  venture  out  on 

my  usual  ivalk  or  Ride  for  exercise Through  divine 

goodness  I  continue  in  perfect  Health,  but  as  skinny  & 
meagre  as  tho'    I  was  continually  sick Ben  seems 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  241 

a   little   more   pert   today Evening   it   Lightens   in 

the  North  West. 

Fry  day  2. 

Extreme  hot  today Yesterday  a  Negro  Child 

about  six  years  old  sickened  as  to  appearance  with  the 
Ague  &  Fever,  &  to  Day  about  eleven  in  the  morning 
it  expired!  It  is  remarkable  that  the  Mother  has  now 
lost  seven  successively,  none  of  which  have  arrived  to 

be    ten    years   old ! The    Negroes   all    seem    much 

alarmed,  &  our  School  make  it  a  Subject  for  continual 
Speculation ;  They  seem  all  to  be  free  of  any  terror  at 
the  Presence  of  Death ;  Harry  in  special  signified  a 
Wish  that  his  turn  may  be  next.  1  should  be  glad  if 
his  desire  were  wise ;  &  he  was  as  fit  for  the  business 
of  the   other  world,    as  he  seems  willing  to  leave  the 

business  of    this In    the    evening    this    unexpected 

Death  was  the  Subject  of  Conversation  in  the  House 

M^  Carter  observed,   that  he   thought   it  the  most 

desirable  to  die  of  a  Short  Illness.  If  he  could  have 
his  Wish  he  would  not  lie  longer  than  two  days;  be 
taken  with  a  Fever,  which  should  have  such  an  unusual 
effect  on  his  Body  as  to  convince  him  that  it  would  be 
fatal,  and  gradually  increase  till  it  effected  a  Dissolu- 
tion  He  told  us  that  his  affairs  are  in  such  a  state 

that  he  should  be  able  to  dictate  a  Will  which  might  be 
written  in  five  Minutes,  &  contain  the  disposal  of  his 

estate  agreeable  to  his  mind He  mentioned  to  us 

the  Substance "  That  he  would  leave  M":^  Car- 
ter 6000 ;^  Sterling;  &  leave  the  remainder  of  his 
Estate  to  be  disposed  among  his  children  as  the  Law 
directs." 

He  told  us  likewise,  with  great  firmness,  that  if  he 
lives  to  see  his  children  grown,  he  will  pay  no  regard 


242  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  age,  but  give  his  wealth  to  Him  who  bids  fairest  to 

be  useful  to  mankind That  he  allows  all  an  equal 

oppertunity  of  improvement,  but  the  One  who  is  found 
then  improved  shall  with  the  Learning  inherit  also  the 

Substance Dennis  the   Lad   who  waits  at  Table,   I 

took  into  the  School  to  day  at  his  Fathers  request,  He 
can  spell  words  of  one  syllable  pretty  readily.  He  is 
to  come  as  he  finds  oppertunity. 

Saturday  j. 

Indeed  says  M?  Carter  at  Breakfast,  the  Light- 
ning, Rain,  &  Thunder,  disturbed  me,  &  kept  me  pad- 
ding from  Room  to  Room  all  Night;  I  first  had  the 
Girls  Beds  removed  as  far  as  possible  from  the  Chim- 
neys  then  had   lights  placed  in  the   passage;    and 

then  but  without  rest  or  pleasure,  I  wandered  through 

the  house  silent  &  lonely  like  a  disturbed  Ghost  I 

It  has  however  effected  an  agreeable  change  in  the 
Air;  which  is  now  cool  &  agreeable.  I  was  invited 
this  morning  by  Captain  Fibbs  to  a  Barbecue :  this 
differs  but  little  from  the  Fish  Feasts,  instead  of  Fish 
the  Dinner  is  roasted  Pig,  with  the  proper  apendages, 
but  the  Diversion  &  exercise  are  the  very  same  at  both 

1  declined   going  and  pleaded   in   excuse   unusual 

&  unexpected  Business  for  the  School By  appoint- 
ment is  to  be  fought  this  Day  near  M^  Lanes  two  fist 
Battles  between  four  young  Fellows.  The  Cause  of 
the  battles  I  have  not  yet  known  ;  I  suppose  either  that 
they  are  lovers,  &  one  has  in  Jest  or  reality  in  some 
way  supplanted  the  other;  or  has  in  a  merry  hour 
call'd  him  a  Lubber,  or  a  thick-Skull,  or  a  Buckskin,  or  a 
Scotchman,  or  perhaps  one  had  mislaid  the  others  hat, 
or  knocked  a  peach  out  of  his  Hand,  or  offered  him  a 
dram    without    wiping   the    mouth    of    the    Bottle;    All 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  243 

these,  &  ten  thousand  more  quite  as  triffling  &  ridicu- 
lous, are  thought  &  accepted  as  just  Causes  of  imme- 
diate Quarrels,  in  which  every  diabolical  Stratagem 
for  Mastery  is  allowed  &  practised,  of  Bruising,  Kick- 
ing, Scratching,  Pinching,  Biting,  Butting,  Tripping, 
Throtling,  Gouging,  Cursing,  Dismembring,  Howling, 
&c.  This  spectacle,  (so  loathsome  &  horrible!)  gen- 
erally is  attended  with  a  crowd  of  People !  In  my 
opinion,  (others  may  think  for  themselves)  animals 
which  seek  after  &  relish  such  odious  and  filth}'  amuse- 
ments are  not  of  the  human  species,  they  are  destitute 
of  the  remotest  pretension  to  humanity ;  I  know  not 
how  they  came  by  their  form,  by  the  help  of  which 
they  are  permitted  to  associate  with  Men,  unless  it  has 
been  (unfortunate  for  the  World!)  b}'  an  intermixture 
of  the  meaner  kind  of  Devils  with  prostitute  Monkeys ! 

This,  however,   I   cannot  determine;    But  I    think 

all  such  should  be  deemed  by  the  community  infectious, 
&  suspended  at  least  any  kind  of  intercourse,  til,  either 
the  lineage  be  settled  &  recorded,  or  those  shrew'd 
Characteristicks  of  a  spurious  illegitimate  claim  to  kin- 
dred with  men  be  in  a  good  Measure  abated. 

Stinday  4. 

We  had  last  night  a  flood  of  rain,  the  wind  North 

East  stormy No  Church  to  Day M^  Carter  sent 

down  to  his  Mill-Dam,  &  channel  all  his  people  to  try 
if  they  can  secure  them;  he  gives  them  Rum,  &  a 
Shilling  a  man 

I  read  Prayrs,  by  the  desire  of  the  Parents,  at  the 
Grave  over  the  deceased  Child  Priscilla,  Nancy,  Fanny, 
Betsy,  Ben,  Bob,  Harry,  &  Myself,  &  about  forty  or  fifty 
Negroes  were  present.  Neither  the  Father  nor  the 
Mother  of  the  Child  went  out;   imitating  the   example 


244  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

they  see  in  others,  &  stay  from  an  affectation  of  over- 
flowing Grief. 

Monday  5. 

There  is  a  wonderful  To  do,  this  morning  among 
the  House  keeper  &  children,  at  the  great  house.  They 
assert  that  a  Man  or  a  Spirit  came  into  "the  Nursery 

about   one   o-Clock   this    morning That    if    it    was 

indeed  a  Spirit  the  Cause  of  his  appearance  is  wholly 
unknown ;  but  if  it  was  Flesh  &  blood  they  are  pretty 
confident  that  the  design  was  either  to  rob  the  House, 
or    commit    fornication    with    Sukey,    (a  plump,    sleek, 

likely  Negro  Girl  about  sixteen) That  the  doors  & 

windows  were  well  secured,  but  that  by  some  secret 
manner,  unknown  to  all,  the  Thing  opened  the  Cellar 
door,  went  through  the  Cellar,  &  up  the  narrow  dark 
Stairs  (which  are  used  only  on  necessary  occasions,  as 
when  the  great  Stair  way  is  washing  or  on  some  such 

account) That  it  left  the  said  Cellar  door  standing 

open,  &  besides  unbar'd  &  threw  open  the  East  Win- 
dow in  the  little  Room,  in  order,  as  they  wisely  sup- 
posed, to  have,  if  it  should  be  hurried,  a  ready  passage 

out That  it  had  previously  put  a  small  wedge  in  the 

Lock  of  the  Nursery  Door,  where  several  of  the  young 
Ladies,  &  the  said  Sukey  sleep,  so  that  when  they  were 
going  to  Bed  they  could  not  Lock  nor  bolt  the  door, 
but  this  they  all  believed  was  done  in  mischief  by  the 
children,  &  went  thereupon  to  bed,  without  suspicion 

of    harm,    with   the   door  open That   Sukey  some 

time  in  the  Night  discovered  Something  lying  by  her 
Side    which    she    knew    to    be    a    Man    by    his    having 

Breeches That  she  was  greatly  surprised,  &  cry'd 

out  suddenly  to  the  others  that  a  Man  was  among  them, 
&   that   the    Man  tickled  her,   &  said   whish,   whish 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  245 

That  on  this  She  left  the  Bed  &  run  &  squeased  herself 
in  by  the  side  of  Miss  Sally  the  House-keeper,  but  that 

by  this  time  the  whole  Room  was  awake  &  alarmed 

That  when  the  thing  knew  there  was  a  discovery  it 
stamped  several  times  on  the  lioor,  shook  the  Bedstead 
by  the  side  of  which  it  lay,  rattled  the  Door  several 
Times  &  went  down  Stairs  walking  very  heavy  for  one 
bare-foot That  on  its  leaving  the  Room  the  House- 
keeper went  to  Ben  Carters  Chamber,  &  that  he  rose  & 
they  all  went  down  &  found  the  Doors  &  window  as  I 

have  mentioned All  this  with  many  other  material 

accidents  is  circulating  through  the  family  to  Day ; 
some  conclude  it  was  a  Ghost  because  it  would  not 
speak But,  more  probably  it  was  one  of  the  warm- 
blooded, well  fed  young  Negroes,  trying  for  the  com- 
pany  of    buxom    Sukey The    Colonel    however,   at 

Breakfast  gave  out  that  if  any  one  be  caught  in  the 
House,  after  the  famil}'  are  at  Rest,  on  any   Pretence 

whatever,  that  Person  he  will  cause  to  be  hanged ! 

This  Afternoon  Nelson  the  Lad  who  waits  in  our  School, 
was  in  the  woods  about  half  a  mile  off,  where  he  met 

with  &  kill'd  a  Rattle-Snake  having  six  Rattles He 

cut  off  the  head,  &  brought  Home  the  remainder  of  the 

Body,  which  we  have  skin'd  &  stuff'd M":^  Carter 

complains  to  Day  of  the  Tooth-Ach,  &  a  slight  Fever. 

Tetisday  6. 

The  day  fine It  is  whispered  to  Day  that  B 

is  the  Ghost  that  walk'd  in  the  Nursery  the  other  night, 
but  I  think  the  report  is  false,  &  arises  from  Calumny. 
We  had  an  expectation  of  company  to  day,  but  are  dis- 
appointed. We  dined  on  Fish  &  Crabs,  which  were 
provided  for  our  company,  tomorrow  being  Fish-Day 
1  begun  a  Sermon  Job  XXIII.  3.  4.     We  have  two 


246  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

vagrant  Tinkers  with  us  mending  several  articles,  one 
of  whom  is  this  afternoon  violent  sick   with  Fever  & 

Ague 1    rode    to    my   old   spot,    the   Cornfield,   by 

chance  met  with  Mr.  Taylor,  I  walked  with  him  among 
the  Tobacco  Cotton  &c.     He  gave  me  Directions  for 

raising  the  latter Cotton  must  be  planted  about  the 

middle  of  M.ay  in  rich  Land,  prepared  with  Hills,  & 
made  very  mellow.  When  up  it  must  be  weeded  & 
kept  clean,  it  must  be  top'd  &  suckered  as  Tobacco, 
otherwise  it  runs  too  much  to  vine.  Towards  the  Fall 
it  will  begin  to  open,  when  the  opened  pods  must  be 
gathered  &  laid  by  til  dry,  then  the  Cotton  pick'd  out 
&  clean'd 

Wednesday  7. 

M^^  Carter  not  very  well ;   is  troubled  with  a  small 

Tooth- Ach  Fever  &  a  Cold Every  leisure  minute  I 

spend  in  writing  at  my  Sermon Dined  with  us  Mf 

Sorrel,  &  M': on  Fish,  Rock,  Perch,  fine  Crabs, 

&  a  large  fresh  Mackerel.  Yesterday  &  to  day  1  have 
been  a  little  pained,  &  pretty  much  alarmed,  at  an 
unusual  feeling  in  my  right  arm.  But  now  it  is  a 
trembling  steady  knawing  down  the  under  part  of  my 
arm  &  Wrist,  without  unless  when   1   move  it  suddenly 

Evening    1    walked    through    the    pasture    to    the 

River,  the  Hills  are  green,  since  the  late  rains,  &  look 
fine  tip'd  with  the  setting  Sun. 

Thursday  8. 

Cloudy  &  cool.     I  rise  now  by  half  after  six 1 

found  it  necessary  to  flogg  Bob  &  Harry  on  account  of 

lying  in  bed,  after  1  come  into  School At  twelve 

M^  &  NP?  Carter,  with  all  the  Family  except  Ben,  Harry 
&  Myself;    Ben  staid  of  choice,  &  Harry  I  kept  at  home 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  247 

on  account  of   a    sullen    Impudence   when    I   dismiss'd 

them I  told  them  that  they  both  had  my  leave  to 

go  but  at  the  same   time  it  was  my  advice  that  they 

should  stay Harry  then  answered   "  D — n  my  Soul 

but  i'll  go!"  At  this  I  informed  him  that  he  had  at 
once  dismiss'd  himself  from  my  authority,  &  without 
singular  signs  of  Submission  I  should  never  take  him 

under   my   direction  more And   therefore   that   he 

had  general  &  unbounded  Liberty  to  go  not  only  to  the 

Horse  Race,  but  wliere  &  zvJien  he  chose He  seem'd 

startled,  &  began  to  moderate  his  answer:  I  ordered 
him  out  of  the  Room,  &  told  him  to  use  his  liberty. 
M":*  Carter  took  with  her  all  the  young  Ladies  &  all  her 

children Ben  &.  I  with  great  satisfaction  dined  alone. 

Nelson,  to  Day,  kill'd  another  Rattle  Snake;  near  the 
place    where    he    kill'd    the    other,    which    had    twelve 

Rattles Harry  grew  sick  and  refused  to  go  to  the 

Race,  he  came  soon  to  my  room  &  with  every  Sign  of 
Sorrow  for  his  conduct  begg'd  me  to  forgive  him,  at 
first  I  refused,  but  at  length  I  took  him  in,  yet  informed 
him  that  I  shall  pass  over  no   other  instance   of   what 

may  be  called  rudeness  only. The  Colonel  on  his 

return,  in  the  evening  informed  us  that  the  Race  was 
curious,  &  that  the  Horses  were  almost  an  even  match 

That  the  Betts  were  Drawn  &  no  Money  paid 

That  the   Rider  of    one   of   the   Horses  weighed   only 

forty  Seven  pound Strange  that  so  little  substance 

in  a  human  Creature  can  have  strength  &  skill  suffi- 
cient to  manage  a  Horse  in  a  Match  of  Importance 

Something  alarming  happened  a  few  nights  ago  in  the 

Neighbourhood  at  M":  Sorrels  a  House  in  Sight It 

is  supposed  that  his  Negres  had  appointed  to  murder 
him,  several  were  found  in  his  bed  chamber  in  the 
middle  of  the  night his  Wife  waked She  heard 


248  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

a  whispering,  one  perswading  the  other  to  go On 

this  She  waked  her  Husband,  who  ran  to  his  Gun;   but 

they  escaped  in  the  dark Presumption  is  so  strong 

together  with  a  small  confession  of  the  fellows,   that 

three  are  now  in  Prison The  ill  Treatment  which 

this  unhappy  part  of  mankind  receives  here,  would 
almost  justify  them  in  any  desperate  attempt  for  gain- 
ing  that  Civility,  &  Plenty  which  tho'    denied  them,  is 

here,  commonly  bestowed  on  Horses! Now,  Laura, 

I  sleep  in  fear  too,  though  my  Doors  &  Windows  are 
all  secured ! 

Fry  day  p. 

M":  Stadley  came  in  before  Breakfast.    He  inform'd 
us  that  Governor  Duninorc  has  gone  to  the  Frontiers' 

with   about  400  Men   to  subdue  the  Indians That 

the  Indiams  seem  disheartened,  &  leave  their  towns,  & 
are  unwilling  to  fight M":^  Carter,  out  of  Compli- 
ment, this  morning  presented  to  Ben  &  /  for  staying  at 

home  yesterday,  a  large  fine  Cake Dined  with  us  a 

Stranger Ben  with   good   Humour  either   out  of  a 

Bravado  or  for  Revenge  gave  out  in  the  Family  to  day 
that  it  is  the  opinion  of  a  certain  Female,  of  consider- 
able Note  in  the  family,  that  all  the  male  Children 
which  shall  be  born  in  this  unlucky  year,  tho'  they  may 
be  fair  to  the  Sight,  will  be  yet  unable,  from  a  Debility 

^  In  April,  1774,  some  extraordinary  hostilities  occurred  between  the 
Indians  and  whites  on  the  Virginia  frontier,  in  which  the  whites  are  said  to 
have  been  the  aggressors.  Open  hostilities  resulted,  and  the  confederated 
tribes,  comprising  Delawares,  Wyandots,  Shawnees,  and  others,  under  the 
celebrated  chief.  Cornstalk,  were  decisively  beaten  in  the  sanguinary  battle  of 
Point  Pleasant  by  the  Virginians,  led  by  Gen.  Andrew  Lewis.  It  was  a  costly 
victory  for  the  Colonists,  however,  as  their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  two 
hundred,  from  a  total  force  engaged  of  five  hundred  and  fifty.  (Campbell's 
History  of  Virginia,  pp,  582-589.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  249 

of    Constitution,    to    do    their    Duty,    with    respect    to 

Women,  either  married  or  single That  She  has  two 

reasons  for  this  opinion, 

1.  Because  the  Air  appears  to  be  extremely  barren, 
weak,  &  uttgetierative 

2.  Because  the  Peaches,  &  other  Fruit  are  observed 
this  3ear  to  have  in  them  very  few  Kernels,  at  the  same 
time  that  the  Peaches  are  sweet  &  fair 

I  think  that  Ben,  by  this  stratagem,  whether  it  be 
real  or  otherwise,  is  levil  with  the  invidious  Vixen 
which  suspected  him  of  entering  the  Nursery  to  visit 
black-faced  Sukey 

Saturday  10. 

With  the  Boys  I  Surveyed  a  small  field  lying  along 
the  Richmond  Road ;  the  Colonel  has  a  good  Theodolite 
&  other  Aparatus  for  Surveying English  Maga- 
zines &  Reviews  arrived  to  Day One  of  the  Books 

lately  published   I  am  desirous  to  purchase  viz Df 

Henry  s^  History  of  Great  Britain  on  a  new  Plan.  This 
history  is  to  be  contained  in  ten  Books,  each  of  which 
will  be  divided  into  seven  chapters.  In  the  first  Chap- 
ter of  ever}'  Book,  the  Author  relates,  the  civil  &  mili- 

tar}-  History  of  Great  Britain The  second  chapter 

contains  the  ecclesiastical  History  of  the  same  period : 
the  third  presents  us  with  the  history  of  our  political 
constitution.  Government,  Laws,  &  Courts  of  justice ; 
the  fourth  is  employed  upon  what  relates  to  Learning 
&  Learned  men :  the  fifth  investigates  the  State  of  the 
useful  &  ornamental  Arts:  the  sixth  enquires  into  that 
of  commerce,  Shipping,  Mone3%  with  the  prices  of  com- 
modities: &  the  last  Chapter  of  every  Volume  is  alloted 

'  Robert  Henry's  History  of  Great  Britain  from  the  first  invasion  of  it 
by  the  Romans  under  Julius  Caesar.      (Lond.  1 771-93,  6  v.,  4to.) 


250  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  a  Detail  of  the  Manners,  Virtues,  Vices,  remarkable 
Customs,  Language,  Dress,  Diet,  &  Diversions  of  the 

Great   Britains Six  o-Clock,   M'.=    Turberville,  Miss 

Jenny  Corbin,  and  Miss  Turberville  came  in ;  Miss  Corbin 
has  been,  all  the  Summer,  at  her  Brothers^  on  Rapa- 

hanock  forty  miles  distant. 1  saw,  in  the  evening, 

in  M^.  Randalls^  Room,  a  Young  man  about  twenty 
years  old,  totally  deaf,  &  dumb!  He  is  well-set, 
lusty,  &  likely;  he  is  cheerful,  good  natur'd,  extremely 
dextrous,    quick    of    apprehension,    &,    in    short,    very 

conversable,  &  sociable  by  signs he  was  taken  to 

the  much  famed  D^  Graham,  when  he  was  in  this  Colony 
trumpeting  about  his  own  unproved  Abilities;  he  fum- 
bled with  the  unfortunate  Lad,  by  blooding,  gouging, 
boreing  &c.  putting  him  to  torture  and  expence  with- 
out any  possible  expectation  of  help He  Sustains 

among  his  neighbours  the  Reputation  of  being,  Jionest, 

industriojis,    &   useful He    supports   by   Labour  his 

mother,  &  himself;  He  is  remarkably  fond  of  Cloths, 
&   vastly   curious,    &   nice   in    examining    every   article 

of  dress,  where  he   has  the  smallest  intimacy He 

abstains    entirely    from    strong    Liquor And    what 

most  of  all  produced  admiration  in  me,  was  his  taking 
a  Pen  &  writing  his  Name  '■'■Coley  Reed''  in  a  good 
legible  Hand,  better  indeed,  than  the  Bulk  of  planters 
are  able  to  do!      But  he  can  write  nothing  more 

Sunday  11. 

Ben  rode  out  yesterday  after  Dinner  and  returned 
this  morning;  but  came  on  foot,  I  begin  to  suspect  him 
of  being  actually  engaged  in  what  several  allege  against 
him But  I  will  keep  off  so  long  as  I  possibly  can, 

'  Gawin  Corbin  of  Yew  Spring,  Caroline  County,     See  page  185,  note  I. 
'  Doubtless  Randolph  is  intended.  Councillor  Carter's  clerk. 


1774]                          JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS                            2$  I 
SO  unwelcome  &  so  Base  a  thought  of  its  Reality 


After  Breakfast  M^  Stadley  left  us;  I  feel  always  Sorry 
when  he  leaves  the  Family ;  his  entire  good-Nature, 
Cheerfulness,  Simplicity,  &  Skill  in  Music  have  fixed  him 

firm  in  my  esteem None  go  to  Ucomico  Church  to 

day Towards  evening,  1  took  a  book  in  my  hand, 

&  strolled  down  the  Pasture  quite  to  the  Bank  of  the 

River Miss  Stanhope,  Priss,  Nancy,  Fanny,  &  Betsy 

Carter   were  just  passing   by They    walked   to   the 

Mill ;  there  they  entered  a  Boat,  and  for  exercise  & 
amusement  were  rowed  down  the   River  quite  to  the 

granary,  &  then  went  to  angling 1  walked  to  them, 

&  together  we  all  marched  Home  to  Coffee. 

Monday  12. 

We  threatened  having  a  Fire  this  morning 1 

wrote  at  my  Sermon From  the  Ship  lying  at  Leeds, 

arrived  this  afternoon  our  new  Coach It  is  a  plain 

carriage,  upper  part  black,  lower  Sage  or  Pea-Green 

The   Harness    is   neat    strong,   &  suitable  for  the 

Country Price  120^  Sterling^ In  the  same  Ship 

M":^  Carter  imports  about  30^  value  in  plate  in  a  pair  of 
fashionable  Goblets;    Pair  of  beautiful   Sauce-Cups;   & 

a  Pair  of  elegant  Decanter-holders Ben  introduced 

into  our  Room  a  plain  useful  Book-Case,  in  which 
we  class  »&  place  our  Books  in  order,  after  School,  I 
took  a  Book,  and  walked  through  the  Pasture,  strolling 
among  Horses,  Cows,  &  Sheep,  grazing  on  the  Hills  & 
by  the  River. 

Teusday  ij. 

We  thought  of  Fire   this  morning,   but  put  it  off 
Ben's  mare  is  not  yet  heard  of,  though  he  has  had 

'See  Glenn's  Some  Colonial  Mansions,  V.  I,  237. 


252  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

a  Boy  almost  constantly  searching  about  for  her It 

is  curious  to  see  the  Girls  imitating  what  they  see  in 
the  great  House;  sometimes  tying  a  String  to  a  Chair 
&  then  run  buzzing  back  to  imitate  the  Girls  spinning; 

then  getting  Rags  &  washing  them  without  water 

Very  often  they  are  knitting  with  Straws,  small  round 

stockings,  Garters  &c Sometimes  they  get  sticks  & 

splinter  one  end  of  them  for  Brushes,  or  as  they  call 
them  here  Clamps,  &  spitting  on  part  of  the  floor,  they 

scrubb  away  with  great  vigor &  often  at  a  small 

game    with    Peach-stones    which    they    call   checks 

Evening  after  School  I  rode  to  the  much  Frequented 
Corn-field,  M^  Taylor  was  from  Home  the  evening 
cloudy,  cool,  but  fine.  The  Planters  now  begin  to  cut 
their  Tobacco. 

Wednesday  i^. 

M^  Carter  received   word  to  day  that  he  has  had 
brought  very  lately  for  his  Mill  7000  Bushels  of  Wheat 

at  4^.6'^  pr.  Bushel. 1  am  at  a  Loss  to  know  where 

he  will  dispose  of  such  vast  Quantities! The  Col- 
onel who  is  often  pidling  in  some  curious  experiment, 

is  to   day  making  some  Printers  Ink He  tells  me 

the  Materials  are  Lintseed-Oil,  Wheat-Bread,  Onions, 

&  Turpentine,   a  rank   compound   truely then   for 

Black,  Lamp-Black,  red,  Vermillion Ben,  found  his 

mare  lost  in  last  Saturday's  Visit,  poor  Brute!  She 
was  confin'd  in  the  Pasture  where  he  left  her,  in  which 

being  very  large  She  had  been  concealed M":  Smith,^ 

who  was  wounded  last  Spring  by  a  Shot  of  his  Brother 
is  lately  Dead,  &  it  is  said  by  the  Wounds  which  he 
received  from  his  Brother! 

'  See  page  138,  et  seq. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  253 

Thursday  ij. 

Bett  is  much  better;   he  has  return'd  to  his  Bed  in 
mv  Room,  but  complains  often  of  the  pain  in  his  Breast 

I   put   him  to  begin  &   read   some   select  odes  in 

Horace He  works  arithmetic  but  is  only  in  Reduc- 
tion  He   dispises  Greek,  &   therefore   makes   little 

or  no  progress  in  that  Language He  is  reading  in 

course  the  Eneid  Lib  3 He  has  an  unconquerable 

Love  for  Horses;  he  often  tells  me  that  he  should  have 
been  a  skillful,  &  useful  Groom;  that  he  should  be 
more  fond  &  careful  of  a  favourite  Horse  than  of  a 
Wife,  or  than  his  victuals,  or  than  any  thing  whatever! 
I  never  saw  a  Person,  in  any  Diversion,  Recreation  or 
amusement,  who  seemed  so  full  of  Pleasure  &  enjoy- 
ment as  he  is  when  on  Horse  back,  or  even  in  the 
company  of  a  Horse !  He  seems  to  possess  as  warm  a 
regard  for  them  as  D":  Swift  had  for  the  Houyhnhnms 

But  1  cannot  discover  that  Ben  has  so  cordial  an 

enmity  to  Mankind  as  Swift  had  for  the  Yahoos. 

Bobs  passion  for  the  same  Animal  is  no  less  strong,  but 
it  is  furious,  &  cruel,  he  rides  excessive  hard,  &  would 

ride  always //i^rrj/i- Genius  seems  towards  Cocks, 

&  low  Betts,  much  in  company  with  the  waiting  Boys, 
&,  against  my  strongest  Remonstrances,  &  frequent 
severe  corrections,  he  will  curse,  at  times,  horribly,  & 
swear  fearfully !  He  always,  however,  omits  it  when 
I  am  Present. 

Fry  day  16. 

M^  Carter,  this  morning,  with  Prissy,  Nancy,  &  Bob 
went  in  the   New-Coach  to  the  Dance  at  Stratford,  the 

morning  is  mild,  fair  &  cool The  Colonel  informed 

me  that  now  his  Mill-House,  Bake  Houses,  Store 
Houses   &c.    with    a   clear   unobstructed   navigation   is 


254  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

compleated,  &  that,  he  will  rent  them  all  to  a  Person 

properly  qualified or  gladly  employ  a  person  who 

is  capable,  trusty  &  industrious  enough  to  be  the  sole 

Director  of  so   great  &  valuable   Property Dined 

with    us    captain     Walker He    threw    out    several 

exceeding  unpopular  Sentiments  with  regard  to  the 
present   amazing    Disturbances    through    the    Colonies 

One  in  special  I  think  proper  to  record   because 

it  fixes  his  Character,  &  declares  him,  in  Spite  of  all 

pretence,   an  enemy   to  America He  asserted  that 

no  Officers  (at  Boston  or  elsewhere)  are  obliged,  either 
by  Law,  or  Right,  to  question  or  refuse  any  kind  of 
orders   which    they    receive    from    their   Sovereign,    or 

commanding  Officer But  1  account  every  man,  who 

possesses  &  publishes  such  sentiments  in  this  Crisis 
of  the  Fate  of  a  vast  Empire,  as  great  an  enemy  to 
America  at  least,  as  Milton's  Arch-Devil  was  to  Man- 
kind!  After  School,  we   took  the  Theodolite,   the 

Colonel  along,  &  run  several  Lines,  He  seems  perfectly 
well  acquainted  with  the  Art. 

Saturday  ij. 

At  eight  I  dismiss'd  my  small  charge.  Immedi- 
ately after  Breakfast  I  took  some  Boys,  &  went  a 
Surveying ;  Ben,  impatient  of  tiresome  scurvy  Home, 
strain'd  off  through  the  County 1  run  in  to  Din- 
ner, the  Colonel  &  I  dined  alone,  we  drank  a  Glass  of 
Madeira,  as  a  Health  to  absent  Friends,  after  which  I 
went  again  to  the  Field  &  survey'd  till  six  in  the  even- 
ing; The  Business  of  this  Day  has  been  to  go  round 
the  inner  Pasture  About  half  an  Hour  after  Sunset 
(when  Women  who  love  their  Husbands  &  Families 
always  come  Home)  M^^  Carter  &  the  Girls  arrived 
from  Stratford     She  informed  us  that  there  was  a  large. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  255 

genteel,  &  agreeable  Company  at  the  Dance ;  that  the 
Ague  &  Fever  have  been  &  continue  troublesome  in 
that  Neighbourhood ;  &  that  word  is  arrived  from 
Boston  that  Governor  Gage  has  fired  on  the  Town,  & 
that  it  is   expected   his   orders   are  to  burn  &   beat  it 

to    Destruction! Ben    returned   about    seven    from 

Westmoreland   Courthouse He    informed    us    that 

Mr  Sorrels  Negroes  had  their  trial  there  to  Day,  con- 
cerning their  accusation  of  entering  their  Masters 
House  in  the  night  with  an  intention  to  murder  Him 

It  was  there  proved  (so  far  as  Negroes  evidence 

will  go)  that  a  Brother  of  this  Sorrel  early  last  Spring 
bribed  some  Negroes  to  Poison  his  Brother;  &  when 
that  diabolical  Attempt  could  not  succeed,  he  has  since 

tried  to  perswade  them  to  murder  Him  ! But  all 

evidence  against  the  Negroes  was  so  weak  &  dark  that 
the  judges  ordered    them    to    be    whiped    &  dismissed 

them Though    the    Law    considers    all    Testimony 

given  by  a  Negro  against  a  White-Man  as  weak  & 
unsubstantial;  3'et  what  the  Negro  said  to  Day  on 
Oath  of  the  younger  M^  Sorrel,  seems  to  gain  much 
Belief  with  many  who  are  candid  &  unbiased  Judges; 
&  with  me  beyond  all  Scruple,  it  fixes  on  him  the 
cursed  Character  of  Fratricide  ! 

Sunday  18. 

The  Colonel  gave  me,  at  Breakfast  the  offer  of  a 
Seat  in  his  Boat  to  Church.  The  morning  was  fine,  & 
Nomini-River  alive  with   Boats  Canoes  &c  some  going 

to  Church,  some  fishing,  &  some  Sporting M^  Smith 

gave  us  a  very  practical  Sermon  against  the  common 
vices  here,  in  particular  against  the  practise  of  abusing 

ing  Slaves The  report  concerning  Boston  is  much 

talked  off  &:   still  confirmed! We   dined    all  at   Mi; 


256  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Turberville's ;  Miss  Corbin  looks  fresh  &  plump  as  ever. 
Towards  evening  arose  a  pretty  furious  Thunder-Gust, 
which  we  hardly  escaped  on  our  way  home  I  observed 
that  several,  but  in  special  M^  Carter  is  not  pleased 
with  M":  Smith's  Sentiments  of  Slavery. 

Monday  ip. 

The  morning  fine  &  cool,  &  produces  in  our  School 
at  last  a  fine  Fire ! Fire  looks  &  feels  most  wel- 
come ;   and  I  observe  it  makes  our  children  remarkably 

garrulous  &  noisy 1  took  cold  by  Saturdays  unusual 

exercise,  &  to  Day  have  a  Pain  through  my  head,  sore 

throat,   &  the  other  common   troubles  in   a  Cold 

This  Day  begins  the  examination  of  the  Junior  class  at 
Nassau-Hall.  Every  time  I  reflect  on  that  Place  of 
retirement  &  Study,  where  I  spent  two  years  which  I 
call  the  most  pleasant  as  well  as  the  most  important 
Period  in  my  past  life— — -Always  when  I  think  upon 
the  Studies,  the  Discipline,  the  Companions,  the  Neigh- 
bourhood, the  exercises,  &  Diversions,  it  gives  me  a  secret 
&  real  Pleasure,  even  the  Foibles  which  often  prevail 
there  are  pleasant  on  recollection  ;  such  as  giving  each 
other  names  &  characters ;  Meeting  &  Shoving  in  the 
dark  entries:  knocking  at  Doors  &  going  off  without 
entering;  Strowing  the  entries  in  the  night  with  greasy 
Feathers;  freezing  the  Bell;  Ringing  it  at  late  Hours 
of  the  Night 1  may  add  that  it  does  not  seem  dis- 
agreeable to  think  over  the  Mischiefs  often  practised 

by  wanton   Boys Such  are  writing   witty   pointed 

anonymous  Papers,    in   Songs,   Confessions,    Wills,  Solili- 

ques,  Proclamations,  Advertisements  &c Picking  from 

the  neighbourhood  now  &  then  a  plump  fat  Hen  or 
Turkey  for  the  private  entertainment  of  the  Club  "  in- 
stituted for  inventing  &  practising  several  new  kinds  of 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  257 

mischief  in  a  secret  polite  Manner" Parading  bad 

Women Burning  Curse -John Darting  Sun- 
Beams   upon   the   Town-People  Reconoitering  Houses 

in  the  Town,  &  ogling  Women  with  the  Telescope 

Making  Squibs,  &  other  frightful  compositions  with 
Gun- Powder,  &  lighting  them  in  the  Rooms  of  timor- 
ous Boys,  &  new  comers The  various  methods  used 

in  naturalizing  strangers,  of  incivility  in  the  Dining- 
Room  to  make  them  bold ;  writing  them  sharp  & 
threatening  Letters  to  make  them  smart;  leading  them 
at  first   with   long   Lessons  to  make   them  industrious 

And  trying  them  by  Jeers  &  Repartee  in  order  to 

make  them  choose  their  Companions  &c  &c Even- 
ing after  School  with  M?  Carter,  &  the  Girls  I  took  a 
Walk  thro'  the  Pumpkin  &  Potatoe  Vines,  the  Air  is 
clear,  cold  &  healthful.  We  drank  our  Coffee  at  the 
great  House  very  sociably,  round  a  fine  Fire,  the  House 
And  air  feels  like  winter  again.                  • 

Teusday  20. 

Among  the  many  womanish  Fribbles  which  our 
little  Misses  daily  practise,  I  discovered  one  to  Day  no 
less  merry  than  natural;  Fanny  &  Harriot  by  stuffing 
rags  &  other  Lumber  under  their  Gowns  just  below 
their  Apron-Strings,  were  prodigiously  charmed  at 
their  resemblance  to  Pregnant  Women!  They  blushed, 
however,  pretty  deeply  on  discovering  that  I  saw  them 

We  have  to  day  both  in  the  School  &  great-house 

steady  Fires M^  Thomas  Edwards  a  reputable  Plan- 
ter  in    the    Neighbourhood    died    this    day  about   one 

o-Clock I  saw  him  last  Sunday  at  Church  when  he 

was  in  good  Health  ,  was  taken  the  same  Evening,  & 
hurried  off  at  once ! Frail  Man,  how  easily  sub- 
dued ! 


258  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  21. 

We  have  a  more  particular  account  of  the  Death 
of  M":  Edwards.  About  a  twelve-month  ago,  he  was 
suddenl)^  siezed  with  a  Fit  of  the  Palsy,  his  Foot,  Side, 
Arm,  &  part  of  his  Face  then  failed,  &  became  useless, 
after  some  time,  however,  he  grew  better,  &  has  since 
been  apparently  well;  til  Sunday  evening  last  after  the 
Shower,  as  he  was  walking  in  his  Garden,  he  fell  down 
in  an  instant,  there  happened  to  be  help  at  hand,  he 
only  said  these  emphatical  words  —  '^  Nozv  I  must  die" 
He  was  carried  in,  &  expired  as  I  mentioned  yes- 
terday ! 1    am   told  that   the   Flux  is   in  the   upper 

part    of    this   County My    cold    continues;    in    the 

Evening  on  going  to  bed,  I  took  a  dose  of  Honey  & 
Rum 

Thiers  day  22. 

A  pure  cold  northerly  wind   still  blows,  &  we  all 

keep  Fires Peaches  &  Fruit  are  omitted  at  Dinners, 

&  Soup  or  Broth  is  brought  in;  Milk  &  Hominy  at 
Breakfast  too  are  laid  by  &  Coffee  &  Sage  Tea  brought 
in;  Our  Suppers  are  Coffee  &  Bred  &  butter Neat- 
ness variety  &  Plenty  are  reigning  Characters  in  our 
worthy  oconomist   M^=  Carter.      1    read   to   Day,  &   am 

charmed   with  a of  Lord  Chesterfield.     Letters  to 

his  natural  Son,  which  I  propose  to  purchase After 

School,  with  Ben,  I  took  a  walk  to  M":  Turberville's 
He  has  received  a  line  from  Colonel  Lee  at  Phila- 
delphia that    the   Congress   is   going  on That   the 

account  concerning  Boston  is  false Evening  Lance- 
lot Lee  came  in,  &  staid  the  night He  gave   Ben 

&  myself  an  Invitation  to  dine  with  him  tomorrow, 
I  took  out  of  the  Library  &  began  to  read  Watts's 
Logic 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  259 

Fry  day  3j. 

I  spent  some  time  in  reviewing  Geography  &  Logic 

Mr  Lee  left  us  about  twelve,  &  Ben  rode  out  with 

him Evening   from    M^   Turberville's    I    saw    some 

Barberry's,   Sloes,   &  Pomegranates,   neither   of    which   1 
had  seen  before 

Saturday  2^. 

Together  with  my  Cold   I   have  to  Day  a  most  dis- 
agreeable gathering  on  my  middle  Finger 1  keep 

myself  at  home  reading  Logic Evening  the  Colonel 

invited  me   to  walk  with  him ;   he  took  me  to  his  Mill, 
Coopers,   House,    Chamicl,   Meadows  &c.    and    was   vastly 

particular  in  describing  to  me  their  particular  uses 

I  begin  to  look  with  eager  Sollicitude  to  the  time  of  my 

revisiting    my   friends    &    Relations It  is,   happily 

near 


Sutiday  2j. 

The  morning  clear  cool  &  very  dry I   rode  to 

Ucomico-Church.  I  was  surprised  when  the  Psalm 
begun,  to  hear  a  large  Collection  of  voices  singing  at 
the  same  time,  from  a  Gallery,  entirely  contrar}'  to 
what  I  have  seen  before  in  the  Colony,  for  it  is  seldom 
in  the  fullest  Congregation's,  that  more  sing  than  the 
Clerk,  &  about  two  others! I  am  told  that  a  sing- 
ing Master  of  good  abilities  has  been  among  this  society 
lately   &   put  them  on    the   respectable    Method   which 

they,    at    present    pursue I    dined    at    M":   Fishers, 

among  others,  I   saw   there,   D^  Steptoe  &   Ml  Hamiltoyi 

who  have   lately   been   to    Philadelphia They   give 

various  reports  concerning  political  affairs,  &  as  to  the 
Congress  nothing  certain,  so  that  I  say  nothing  on  that 
Score Their  Remarks  on  the  City  &  Inhabitants; 


26o  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

The  Country  &c  are  curious They  allow  the  City 

to  be  fine,  neat  &  large;  they  complain  a  little  of  the 
small  Rooms,   Uniformity  of  the   Buildings,  &  several 

other  like  faults They  call  the  Inhabitants  grave  & 

&  reserved ;   &  the   Women    remarkably   homely,    hard 

favour'd    &   sour! One  Colonel    Harrison'   from   a 

lower  County  in  this  Colony,  offer'd  to  give  a  Guinea 
for  every  handsome  Face  that  could  be  found  in  the 
City,  if  any  one  would   put  a  Copper  on   every  Face 

that  did  not  come  up  to  that  Character! This  is  an 

impeachment  of  the  Ladies  which  I  have  never  heard 
before,  I  do  not  give  my  opinion  either  for  or  against 
it The  face  of  the  Country,  &  the  method  of  farm- 
ing that  way  delights  them  :    but  at  this  I  dont  wonder. 

Monday  26. 

Yesterday  the  Inspector,  whom    1   have  named  & 
described  before,  desired  the   Parson  to  wait  on  them 

in    his  family  and  christen   his  Child Is  the   child 

sick?     No  Sir Why  then  to  day?     it  is  the  Mothers 

Desire   Sir Why   was   it   not   brought  to    Church? 

The    Mother  is  unwell,    Sir The    Parson    excused 

himself,  &  promised  to  come  some  Days  hence,  but  the 
long  winded  ofificer,  innured  to  Stubbornness,  hung  on, 
&,  without  moderation  or  Apology  demanded  his  pres- 
ence! And  prevail'd Something  in  our  palace 

this  Evening,  very  merry  happened M?  Carter  made 

a  dish  of  Tea.^    At  Coffee,  she  sent  me  a  dish •  &  the 

^  Doubtless  Col.  Benjamin  Harrison  of  Berkely,  the  Signer. 

^"  It  is  further  our  opinion,  that  as  tea  on  its  importation  to  America  is 
charged  with  a  duty,  imposed  by  parliament  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  reve- 
nue without  the  consent  of  the  people,  it  ought  not  to  be  used  by  any  person 
who  wishes  well  to  the  constitutional  rights  and  liberty  of  British  America ..." 
(Extract  from  a  paper  adopted  by  the  members  of  the  Virginia  Assembly,  upon 
their  being  dissolved  by  Governor  Dunmore,  May  26,  1774.) 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  261 

Colonel   both    ignorant He   smelt,    sipt look'd 

At  last   with   great  gravity   he  asks   what's  this? 

Do  3-ou  ask  Sir Poh  ! And  out  he  throws 

it  splash  a  sacrifice  to  Vulcan 

Tcusday  2j. 

This  morning  the  Colonel  with  his  Theodolite 
observed  the  Centre  of  the  Sun  at  his  rising,  &  found 

it  bore  East  5°  South This  he  is  doing  to  fix  a  true 

East  &;   West   Line   for   regulating  the   Needle  at  any 
time.      This  Bearing  he  corrected   b}'  finding  the  Suns 

Declination,  &  fixed  his  Points After  the  morning 

we  let   our  fire  go  down Both  3'esterday,  &  this 

evening  I   rode  out  to  exercise  myself  &  horse  against 

our  approaching  Journey M^  Hodge,  a  Merchant  of 

Leeds  &  M^  Leech  a  Merchant  of  Dumfries  came  Home 

with  the  Colonel  from  Westmoreland  Court Both 

chatty,    in    special    M":   Leech;    both    well-bred,    sensi- 
ble &  sociable The  loyal  toast  was  Wisdom  &  unity 

to    the    Conferrences    now    assembled And    when 

Women   were  to  be  toasted,  I  gave  Miss  Jenny   Wash- 
ington. 

Wednesday  28. 

The  weather  remarkably  dry,  since  Sunday  night, 
we  have  not  had  a  drop  of  Rain,  not  even  a  cloudy 
Sky,  &  till  yesterday,  &  steady,  cold,  serene  northerly 

Wind To    day    is    the    annual    Commencement    at 

Nassau  Hall 

Thursday  zg. 

Warm  to  day,  but  dry  &  clear.  M^  Leech  &  Mf 
Hodge  spent  last  evening  with  us ;  the  Conversation 
was  on  exchange Loyal  Toasts,  Agreement,  &  Firm- 


262  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

uess  through  the   american    Colonies Ladies,   mine 

was    Miss   Corbin The    Colonel    informed   us    that 

early  next  week  he  shall  set  out  for  Williamsburg 

Soon  after  I  hope  to  set  out  for  Cohansie ! 

Fry  day  jo. 

Warm,    but   clear  &   Dry Dined   with    us   Mr 

Blain  ;  he  gave  us  a  large  account  of  affairs  at  the  Con- 
gress, of  the  City,  Country,  Manners,  Persons,  Trade 

&c But  he  swears  the  Women  are  coarse  &  hardy 

Evening   I   informed  the  Colonel  that  it  is  hardly 

probable  I  shall  continue  in  his  family  til  his  return 
from  the  general  Court,  &  at  the  same  time,  desired 
him  to  give  me  a  discharge,  so  that  I  expect  to  have  all 

things  adjusted  before   he  leaves  Home We   have 

now  entered  on  the   Winter   plan,  have  Coffee  just  at 

evening  &  Supper  between  eight  and  nine  o-Clock 

It  is  wonderful  to  consider  the  Consumption  of  provis- 
ions in  this  family 1  have  before  spoken  of  Meat,  & 

the  steady  Rate  of  flour  weekly,  for  the  great  House  is 

100  Lb  of  which  50  is  the  finest,  &  50  the  Seconds 

But  all  the  Negroes,  &  most  of  the  Labourers  eat 
Corn. 

Saturday  October  n'  1774. 

Wind  South  West  cloudy.  After  Breakfast  with 
the  Boys  I  went  a  Surveying  along  the  River  round 
the  lower  pasture  at  twelve,  Be7i,  Bob,  Harry  all  gallop 

off I   spent  the  afternoon  plotting  my  work I 

paid  Sam  our  Barber  for  Blacking,  Dressing  &c  12/. 

Sunday  2. 

Parson  Smith  is  out  of  the  Parish  so  that  we  have 
no    service With    Ben    I    rode    to    M":    Washingtons. 


I774J  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  263 

M^  Lowe  again  absent Dined  with  us   M'.^  Turber- 

ville,  Miss  Corbin,  Miss  Pierce we  found  the  Col- 
onel in  the  evening  busy  with  his  Instrument  of  Music 

We  drank  our  Coffee  &  retired  early  to  our  Room, 

&  read  til  ten,  then  thanking  our  bountiful  Preserver 
we  retired  to  our  bed. 

Monday  j. 

I  gave  Tom  the  Hostler,  for  his  care  of  my  Horse 

3/ After  Breakfast  the  Colonel  settled  &  paid  me 

for  my  Years  Service  40;^   Sterling This  is  better 

than  the  scurvy  annuity  commonly  allowed  to  the  Pres- 
byterian Clergy He  is  very  Busy  in  adjusting  his 

affairs,  he  set  out  however,  by  twelve  for  Williams- 
bui"g,  after  taking  final  leave  of  me Ben  accom- 
panies   him    to    Richmond   Court Afternoon    Miss 

Corbin  &  Miss  Turberville  came  in  to  stay  a  while  with 
M"?  Carter. 

Bob  went  yesterday  to  M":  Lanes  there  was  Parson 
Gibbern '  ill  of  his  last  weeks  Bout ;  he  was  up  three 
nights  successively  drinking  &  playing  at  Cards,  so 
that  the  liquor  &  want  of  sleep  put  him  quite  out  of  his 

Sences A  rare  tale  this  to  relate  of  a  Man  of  God! 

To  use  the  language  of  the  vulgar,  "  Old  Satan  will 
sadl}'  belabour  such  overgrown  Sinners"! 

Teusday  ^. 

Dined   with   us   M?  Turberville  &   Miss  Letty   we 

were  all  Tete  a  Tete,  vastly  merry  &  garrulous I 

gave  Nelson  for  a  Stirrup  Buckle  a  Bit I  am  pre- 
paring my  Saddle,  Cloth's,  Bags,  Horse,  &  myself  for 
the  intended  Ride 

'  See  page  50,  note  i. 


264  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Wednesday  5. 

Dined  with  us  M":  Taylor,  He  informs  us  that  the 

crops  of   Tobacco  are  like  to   be  good Evening   I 

wrote  a  letter  to  M^^  Thornton,  Northumberland,  con- 
cerning M^  Leek's  coming  into  her  Family  as  a  Tutor 

1  had  a  fine  walk  with  the  young  Ladies  through 

the   Pasture They  make   me  proud   by  expressing 

much  concern  at  my  necessary  Departure,  throwing 
out  many  Wishes  that  I  would  continue  with  them 

Tlmrsday  6. 

I  paid  Natt  who   drives   the   Team   half  a   Bit   as 

a   Forfeit   for   taking   hold   of    his   plough And    to 

Harry  1%/^  for  a  stirrup-leather  &  sundry  other  Arti- 
cles  The  School  presented  me  with  a  petition  form- 
ally drawn  up  for  a  holiday  to  day  on  account  of  the 

race    at    M^    Turberville's,    which    I    granted Pris- 

cilla,  Nancy,  Ben,  &  Bob  go  Harry  &  I,  making  in  my 
opinion  the  wisest  choice  both  stay. 

Fry  day  7. 

Nancy,  &  Bob  go  to  the  Dance  at  Schantille ' 

M":^  Carter  after  Breakfast  took  Prissy,  Fanny  &  Harriot, 
and  made  M":*  Washington  a  Visit,  Ben,  Harry,  Betsy  & 
I  are  left  at  Home  alone.      I  spent  to  Day  in  writing  off 

M^   Peck's   Letter Evening   I  am   troubled   with  a 

drunken    Carpenter;    he   saw   a   Light  in   my   Chamber 

up  he  bouzes,  with  a  Bottle  of  Rum  in  his  hand; 

Who  keeps  Home? 1  asked  him  in Have  you 

any  water  Sir? Not  any  I  told  him Not  a  drop, 

Sir? No My  flute   was  lying  on   the   Table,  he 

took  it  for  a  Trumpet  &  tooted  in  it  for  two  or  three 

'Chantilly,  the  home  of  Richard  Henr)'  Lee. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  265 

Minutes     Then  again  he  begs,  O  Sir  call  in  a  Servant 

&  have  me  some  Water But  I  left  the  Room  glad 

to  be  free  of  his  foolish  Impertinence.  At  Supper  M":^ 
Carter  informed  us  that  Captain  Walker  s  little  Son  has 
the  putrid  Quinsey,  but  we  hope  it  is  only  a  bad  sore 

Throat  by  a  Cold 1  have  a  complaint  of  a  painful 

Jaw,  for  these  several  Days 

Saturday  8. 

Expence   to  the   Smith   for  mending  my  Stirrup  a 

Pisterene  1/3 Ben  this  morning  Wrote  a  letter  to 

his  Papa 1  finished  off  mine  for  M^  Peck The 

Pain  in  my  face  is  a  good  deal  troublesome.  Dined 
with  us  Colonel  Frank  Lee  &  his  Lady,  M^  Turberville 
M"?  Turberville  &  Miss  Letty. 

Sunday  g. 

Ben  &  Harry  ride  to  Ucomico  Church  I  at  home 
spend  the  day  in  my  Room,  I  walked  out  towards  even- 
ing &  saw  a  number  of  Negroes  very  busy  at  framing 

together  a  small   House Sundays  they  commonly 

spend  in  fishing  making  Potatoes  &c,  building  &  patch- 
ing their  Quarters  or  rather  Cabins 

Monday  10. 

The  General  Court  at  Williamsburg  begins  to  sit 

this  Day We  have  no  intelligence  of  the  carryings 

on  of  the  Congress;  our  Papers  this  Summer  came 
vastly  seldom,  it  is  said  that  the  Post  Men  are  bribed  & 
give  away  the  News  Papers.     I  expect  that  M^  Peck  is 

about  setting  out  from  Home  for  this  place I  wish 

him  a  speedy  &  successful  passage,  for  1  am  now  impa- 
tient of  Delay  til  I  visit  again  my  acquaintance  &  Home 

The  Day  is  cold,  the  wind  at  North,  &  the  ground 

extremely  dry  


266  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Teusday  11. 

M^  Stadley  came  this  morning.  He  brings  no.  news 
of  the  Congress,  but  much  of  the  great  Race  lately  at 

Fredricksburg Every   Evening    for  the   Benefit  of 

exercise  I  ride  out,  and  commonly  carry  with  me  one 
of  the  small  Girls,  who  partaking  of  the  prevailing 
Spirit,  are  passionately  fond  of  Riding 

Wednesday  12. 

I  was  told  often  before  I  left  Home  that  coming 
into  Virginia  would  bring  me  into  the  midst  of  many 
dangerous  Temptations;  Gay  Company,  frequent  enter- 
tainments, little  practical  devotion,  no  remote  preten- 
tion to  Heart  religion,  daily  examples  in  Men  of  the 
highest  quality,  of  Luxury,  intemperance,  &  impiety; 
these  were  urged,  by  my  kind  acquaintances,  as  very 
strong  dissuasions  against  my  leaving  home;  the  admo- 
nitions I  accepted  with  great  Thankfulness,  tho'  I  could 
not  allow  them  to  turn  me  off  from  my  purpose  &  I 
resolved  with  as  much  sincerity  &  Firmness  as  I  could 
to  carry  them  with  me  in  every  part  of  my  behaviour. 
The  close  of  the  time  of  my  Stay  here  is  I  expect  now 
near  at  hand:  And  if  I  may  judge  myself  of  the  carry- 
ing my  resolutions  into  practice,  I  should  pronounce 
that  I  have  not  been  wanting  in  my  duty  in  this  respect. 
Some  few  who  frequently  ask  me  to  go  from  home,  say 
I  am  dull,  unsociable,  &  splenetic:  But  the  Gentlemen 
generally  here  have  a  good  &  reasonable  manner  of 
judging  in  this  case  they  are  well  pleased  with  strict 
&  rigid  virtue,  in  those  who  have  the  management  of 
their  children,  if  it  does  not  grow  to  factious  enthu- 
siasm;  so  that  Levity,  tho  perhaps  they  would  wink  at 
it  lessens,  &  in  a  while  would  take  away  the  Reputa- 
tion &  business  of  a  Family  Tutor Of  this   I   was 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  267 

fully  convinced  in  a  short  time  after  my  coming  into 
the  Colony,  &  saw  too  the  very  great  advantage  of  the 
Precaution  which  1  received  of  my  friends,  for  they 
assisted  me  in  setting  out  in  a  safe,  and  prudent  Plan, 
which  has,  I  hope  directed  me  to  propriety  of  conduct 
with  regard  to  my  private  character,  &  likewise  to  my 
little  lovely  Charge, 

Thursday  /j. 

Good  M":  Stadley  left  us  this  morning.  1  took 
leave  with  great  reluctance  of  this  worthy  Man,  &  do 

not  expect  to  see  him  more! After  Breakfast  M^^ 

Carter  with  the  young  Ladies,  rode  to  Colonel  Tay- 
loe's.  My  Jaw  continues  growling  &  keeps  me  uneasy, 
I  very  much   fear  some  hurtful   humours  are  collecting 

themselves  there  together To  day  at  twelve  o-Clock 

Bob  providentially  escaped   with  his  life He   went 

up  into  a  tall  Chesnut  tree  to  cut  down  Boughs  & 
gather  Chesnuts  &  foolishly  he  began  to  cut  the  Limb 
on  which   he  was  standing,  at  a  little  distance  from  his 

feet Chesnut   splits  extremely   easy,  so  that   when 

the  Limb  was  about  half  cut  off  it  split  down ;  this  so 
weakened  the  part  on  which  Bob  stood  that  his  weight 
instantly  split  it  too,  &  down  he  must  have  tumbled 
upwards  of  thirty  feet  but  he  happily  caught  a  bough 
on  his  way  down. 

Fry  day  i^. 

The  Disorder  in  my  face  continues,  slow,  uniform, 
&  Steady  ;  it  does  not  hinder  me  from  rest  by  night,  or 
from  any  exercise  or  business  by  day  ;  But  It  keeps  me 
in  continual  doubt,  &  anxiety,  whether  it  be  not  some- 
thing  gathering    which    will   be    peculiarly   distressful 

But   my  temper,  1   fear,  in  these  respects  is  very 

phlegmatic;    1   find  it  unpleasing  to  myself,  &  it  would 


268  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

be  certainly  unpleasant  to  anyone  who  was  interested 

in  my  complaints 1  am  of  so  strange  a  constitution 

that  very  trifles  make  me  utterly  unhappy A  mere 

conceit,  frivolous  &  unsubstantial  often  takes  away  my 

rest This  feeling  I  have  possest  from  my  infancy, 

I  remember  very  well  that  a  Cuff  on  my  Ear  would 
make  me  sullen  for  Several  days  when  I  was  too  young 
to  go  out  to  school;  Afterwards  a  disappointment  of 
an  hours  play  would  make  me  disrelish  for  a  long  time 
both  play-fellows  and  all  Diversion  !  When  I  was  at 
the  College  one  Blunder  at  recitation,  or  in  any  per- 
formance of  my  duty  would  make  me  dull,  low-Spirit- 
ted,  &  peevish;  In  fact  any  disappointment,  even  the 
most  inconsiderable  seems  to  have  a  general  Effect  on 
my  Passions  &  mingle  fear,  &  anger,  &  rage,  together 
with  many  others  which  are  excited  by  different  &  dis- 
agreeable modifications  of  our  Bodies,  &,  tho'  I  am 
conscious  of  this  frailty  in  myself,  I  have  not  yet 
brought  myself  under  so  good  subjection,  as  to  make 
these    humours   give    way    intirely    to    Philosophy    or 

Religion It  is,  however,  my  constant  study  how  I 

may  accomplish  this  much  wish'd  for  habit While 

we  were  dining  there  is  a  large  shower  of  rain  but  by 
no    means   plentiful,  for   the  earth   is   uncommonly  dry 

M?  Carter  to  day  asked  me  if  M":  Peck  is  to  be  here 

before  my  setting  out;    I  answered  that  he  is And 

says  she,  is  he  grave  as  you? 

Saturday  /j. 

I  rode  after  Breakfast  to  D^  Thompsons  with  a 
settled  purpose  of  having  my  troublesome  tooth  drawn 
out  but  on  examination   he  found  it  to  be  too  far  back, 

&   too    short  to  be   extracted More   sorry    I. 

Dined  with  us  besides  the  famil}',  M^  Munro,  young  M*: 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  269 

Washington,  and  Master  Christien Here  is  a  fine 

Prospect  from  an  exceeding  high  eminence,  of  the 
Potowmack;    River  Nominy;   our  House,  which  is  six 

miles    distant;    Lee-Hall,    Bush-field;    all    remote. 

Evening  1  rode  Home,  the  country  pleasant  Bought 
several  articles  as  presents  for  the  young  Ladies,  a  neat 
gilt  paper  Snuff   Box  for    Miss   Priscilla,   a    neat  best 

clear  Hair-Comb  a  piece  for  Miss  Nancy  &  Fanny 

A  broad  elegant  Sash  apiece  for  Miss  Betsy  &  Harriot 
Value  of  all  15/.  Soon  after  my  return,  when  I  was 
in  the  Chamber  adjusting  my  articles  Ben  came  bawl- 
ing at  my  window  M^  Peck's  come,  M^  Peck's  come.  1 
step'd  to  the  window,  &  saw  presently  that  what  he 
said  was  fact,  my  Heart  bounc'd  &  I  with  it  bolted 
down  to  meet  him.  But  he  comes  empty  of  a  letter,  & 
barren  of  news,  at  least  all  he  brings  seems  gloomy ; 
none  at  all  of  the  great  Congress ;  very  little  of  the 
present  momentious  political  affairs;  that  it  has  been  at 
Cohansie  an  unhealthy  season ;  that  good  &  useful  Mr 
Hunter  has  been  ill  of  a  disorder  in  his  head ;  that  M"? 
Reve  is  gone  &  left  a  Brood  of  infants!  that  young  Tom 
Jennifer  of  Port-Tobacco,  my  acquaintance  at  College 
too  is  dead  I  that  matters  go  in  their  usual  course  at 
Cohansie  &  Princeton  ;  that  Laura  is  not  in  new  Jersey  ! 
All  his  intelligence  is  similar  to  this,  which  is  to  me 
harsh  &  unharmonious  as  a  Ravens  ominous  Croak! 
To  Day  Harry  boil'd  up  a  Compound  of  Poke-Berries, 

Vinegar,  Sugar  &c  to  make  a  red   Ink  or  Liquid 1 

spent  the  evening  til  two  in  the  morning  in  conver- 
sation. 

Sunday  16. 

A  fine   morning We    rose    by   Seven    but    we 

were  informed  that  there  is  no  Sermon  so  that  out  of 


270  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

compliment  to  M":  Peck's  weariness  we  kept  close  at 
home  rather  than  ride  to  Richmond.  We  spent  the 
Day  in  our  chamber  til  towards  evening  when  with  the 
young  Ladies  we  took  a  turn  down  the  River  Many 
we  saw  fishing M"".^  Carter  with  Priss  rode  to  Cap- 
tain Turberville's We  all  returne'd  and  assembled 

by  evening  at  the  great  House. 

Mofiday  ij. 

Before  Breakfast  I   heard  all  the  School  a  lesson 

round   M^  Peck  present After   Breakfast   I    heard 

their  Tables,  Grammer,  &c  &  then  in  Spite  of  my  reso- 
lution with  great  reluctance,  I    resigned  up  to  M":  Peck 

my  little  much  loved  Charge! The  pain  in  my  Face 

is   quite  gone To  day    I   saw   a   Phenomenon,  M^* 

Carter  without  Stays! She  complains  of  a  pain  in 

her  breast,  that  prevents  her  wearing  them,  and  says 
that  She  is  always  supposing  the  worst,  &  fears  that  it 

is  a  Cancer  breeding  there I  hope  it  may  be  only 

fear I  am  more  &  more  every  day  pleased  with  the 

manner.   Temper,    Oconomy,   &   whole   management  of 

this  good  Lady Now  I  am  to  take  my  final  Leave ! 

Towards  evening  we  all  went  down  on  the  River 

&  had  a  pleasant  exercise 

Teusday  18. 

Early  to  Day  I  wrote  a  Note  to  M\  Lowe  and 
Harry  Fantleroy  to  dine  with  us  to  day,  &  soon  re- 
ceived their  promise After  Dinner  with   M'^  Lowe 

on   the   violin,  I   play'd  over  many  tunes  on  the  Flute, 

he  plays  with  good  Taste  and  accuracy At  five  we 

all  walk'd  over  to  M":  Turberville's 1  gave  to  our 

Wash- Woman  some  old  Linen  &  as  a  Box  2/4 We 

spent  the  evening  in  Music  Chat  &  pleasantry But 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  271 

this  sad  thing  which  1  hear  of  that  turn-Coat  Laura, 
that  She  loves  &  courts  one  M^  Rodman  this  distresses 
me  exceedingly  But  this  relieves  me,  for  I  have  had  it 
always  in  my  View  that Varium  &  mutabile  sem- 
per Foemina Tho   I    have   made   a   Solemn    vow 

which  I  have  no  inclination  at  all  to  forego,  yet  if  it 
shall  appear  that  she  has  listened  to  another,  my  dear- 
est vow  is  not  inviolable;  I  will  retreat  from  every 
former  Promise,  I  will  not  hearken  to  womanish  solici- 
tations, but  I  shall  in  return  for  her  want  of  goodness 
treat  her  with  contempt;  &  sincerely  pity,  instead  of 
resent,  her  ineffectual  Caprice 

Wednesday  ig. 

M^  Lowe  &   Fantleroy  left  us  early     But  I  agreed 

to  stay  till  tomorrow I  gave  to  Nelson   on  going 

away  2/2 To  Miss  Sally  the  House-Keepers/. 

Thursday  20. 

I  rose  bv  three,  &  left  Home  b}^  half  after  four 

Gave    Nelson    &    Dennis   half   a    bit    a    piece rode 

thence  to  Westmoreland  Court  House  ten  Miles  by  half 

after  six Fed  my  Horse  &  drank  some  Brandy 

Expence  a  Bit Rode  thence  to  Mattox  Bridge   18 

miles Fed  here  three  quarts  of  Bran  &  Corn  for  a 

Bit The  Bloody-Flux  is  now  extremely  bad  in  this 

Neighbourhood I  am  told  that  scarce  a  Family  is 

clear   of    it,    &    of    every   family    some    die ! Rode 

thence  to  Tylers  Ferry  8  miles  the  road  extremely  dry 

&  dusty At  two  I  set  off  for  Maryland,  the  wind 

fresh  at  South  East  arrived  at  M":^  Laidlers  by  five 
Ferriage  "j /^     1  gave  the  Ferrymen   a  Bottle  of  Rum 

Here   I  dined  on  fryed  Chicken,  Ham,  with  good 

Porter Accommodations  good In  bed  by  half 

after  Seven 


272  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

Fry  day  21. 

Directly  over  my  Room  was  a  sick  Woman  that 
kept  a  dismal  groaning  all  night My  window-Shut- 
ters Clapt  the  Potowmack  howl'd,  yet  I  slept My 

Bill  at  M^=  Laidlers A  Bottle  of  Porter  2/.     Dinner 

1/3      Bed    ./6d Stable    &    Foder    i/. A  smart 

looking    Girl  at  M":^    Laidlers  made  me  smile She 

was  complaining  to  me  of  the  unhealthy  Climate,  that 
these  three  months  past  she  has  had  a  constant  Ague  & 

Fever,    &   been    in    the   Country   only    six   months 

Pray  Miss  said  I  did  you  come  from  Britain? No 

Sir,  I  came  from  London Rode  thence  to  Port- 
Tobacco  It    has    been    extremely   sickly    here    this 

Fall Bill  to  Barber  i!/8 Breakfast  i/. Hay 

&  Oats  1/3 M":^  Halkinson  my  Land  Lady,  a  poor 

aged,  distress'd  Widow,  when  she  found  that  I  was 
acquainted  with  her  little  son  at  Princeton,  seemed  a 
little  to  revive;  she  beg'd  me  to  encourage  her  Son  to 
be  diligent  &  industrious,  to  caution  &  admonish  him 
from   her   against  bad   company  and  wicked  practices 

She  told   me   of  her  great  &  sore  loss  of  an  only 

Daughter,  a  young  woman  of  15  this  Summer,  since 
which,  she  told  me  in  tears,  that  She  has  been  a  stran- 
ger to  health  &  Quiet O  relentless  Death  !      How 

universal  &   severe   are   thy    Commissions !      From   M? 

Laidlers  to   Port  Tobacco  is  called  13  miles 1  rode 

thence  thro'  a  fog  of  Dust  to  Piscatua,    14  miles 

The  Landlady  here  is  very  ill That  dismal  disor- 
der the  bloody-Flux,  has  been  extremely  bad  at  Port 
Tobacco,  &  in  the  Neighbourhood  of  this  town,  but  is 

subsided Expence  here  half  a  Gill  of  Brandy  ./i^ 

Oats  &  Fodder  ./6<' Left  this  Village  half  after 

four,  and  rode  to  upper-Marlborough,  almost  blinded 
with  sweat  &  dust! Arrived  by  seven,  a  little  tired 


% 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  273 

this  Evening- Distance  16  Miles Whole  distance 

yesterday   including    the   Ferry   8   Miles  44  miles 

Whole    Expence    8/7 That   epidemical    distemper 

above  mentioned  has  been  likewise  raging  in  the  Neigh- 
bourhood of  this   Town Bill    at    Marlborough  To 

Tea  1/3 To  lodging  ./8 To  Oats   i/i To 

stabling  i/. 

Sat2(rday  22. 

Rode    thence    to    Patuxen    Ferry  4  mile   Ferriage 

./6^ Thence  to  South  River  12  miles,  Ferriage  .6/^ 

To  Boy  ./4'* Thence  to  Annapolis  4  miles 

Bill  here  to  Dinner  &  Club  4/6 To  Hay  &  Oats 

1/3 To    two    Silver    watch    Seals    15/6      To    half 

Gallon  Rum  for  Ferryman  2/6 To  Hay  for  Horse 

/8 To  Barber  1/ Left  Annapolis  at  6  no  wind 

returned    about    8    to    the   Coffee-House    To   Ferriage 
across  the  Bay  17/6 

Sunday  2j. 

Teusday  evening  last  the  people  of  this  Town  &  of 
Baltimore  obliged  one  Anthony  Stewart  a  Merchant 
here  to  set  fire  to  a  Brig^  of  his  lately  from   London  in 

which  was  17  Chests  of  Tea The  People  seem  indeed 

to  be  full  of  patriotic  Fire Second  bill  at  Annapolis 

Supper   1/6 Lodging  ./g     Hay   1/3 2    Gallons 

Oats   1/6 Articles  for  the  Voyage  4/ Landed 

about  5   at  Kent-Island,  road  thence  to  a  small  Ferry 

for  Oats  &  Ferriage  i/. thence  we  rode  to  Queens 

Town  15  miles Bill  there  5/22 

Monday  2^. 

Rode  from  Queens  Town  over  a  low  levil  Country 

'The  "Peggy  Stewart."  This  was  the  last  attempt  at  tea  importation 
into  the  Anglo-American  colonies. 


274  PHILIP  VICKERS   FITHIAN  [1774 

7  miles   to  a   small    Tavern Breakfasted    1/7  rode 

thence  by  a  small  Town  call'd  Churchill thence  to 

the  Head  of  Chester  River  22   miles here   I  dined 

my  Company  gone  to  the  Chester  Races  which  happen 

to  morrow Expence  2/4     Rode  thence  to  Warwick 

12  miles     My  Horses  feet  swell  this  Evening. 

Teusday  2j. 

Bill  at  Warwick supper  1/3 Oats  ./8 

Stable  Hay  &  Lodging  2/. Glass  of  Wine  Bitters 

./4 Rode   thence   to    Port  Penn   15    miles   expence 

there   1/7 Ferriage   5/. Arrived  once  more  by 

Gods  Kindness  in  New  Jersey  among  my  friends  & 
relations  I  found  many  of  m}^  Acquaintances  have 
gone  off  the  Stage  Uncle  Sceley ;  Damon  James ;  Mrs. 
Reeve;  James  Boyd ;    &  several   others — - — And   many 

are  Sick Our  Family  through  divine  Goodness  are 

in  Health' 


'Philip  Fithian  was   licensed  by   the    Presbyter)-    December   6th,    1774. 
For  his  snbsequent  life,  see  introduction. 


LETTERS  FROM  VIRGINIA 
1773—1774 


LETTERS  FROM  VIRGINIA 

[To  THE  Rev.  Enoch  Green.'] 

Westmoreland,  Novi  2'?  1773. 
Rev'i)  Sir. 

According  as  1  appointed  I  take  this  early  opper- 
tunity  of  acquainting  you  that  I  am  arrived  safe ;  and  I 
am  to  assure  you  that  I  find  the  place  fully  equal  to  my 

highest  expectations 1  am  situated  in  the  Northern 

Neck,  in  a  most  delightful  Country ;  in  a  civil,  polite 
neighbourhood ;  and  in  a  famil}^  remarkable  for  regu- 
larity, and  oeconomy,  tho'  confessedly  of  the  highest 
quality  and  greatest  worth  of  any  in  Virginia.  I  teach 
only  M""  Carters  children,  and  only  one  of  them  is  to 
learn  Languages,  and  he  is  reading  Salust  and  the 
Greek  grammer,  is  seventeen  years  old,  and  seems  to 

be   a  Boy  of  Genius the  other  two  learn   writing 

and  Arithmetic But  he  has  four  Daughters,  young 

Misses  that  are  at  times  to  be  taught  writing  and  Eng- 
lish   1  have  the  terms  as  I  expected,  and  find  the 

place  wholly  agreeable and  am  strongly   solicited 

to   stay  many  years But  money   nor  conveniency 

shall  detain  me  long  from  my  most  important  connec- 
tions at  home you   may  expect  me  in   may  at  the 

Synod.      Please  to  have  my  compliments  to  M":^  Green, 
to   Miss   Betsy ^  if  at   Deerfield,  and   to   my  acquaint- 
ances that  shall  enquire  and  accept  to  yourself  the 
Respect  of  your  humble  serv^ 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 

'  Rev.  Enoch  Green  of  Deerfield,  N.  J.     See  page  55,  note  3. 
'  Elizabeth  Beatty  was  at   that  time  living  with  her  sister,   Mrs.   Enoch 
Green,  at  Deerfield. 


278  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1773 

[To  THE  Rev.  Enoch  Green.] 

Decemr  i!'^  I773- 
Rev'd  Sir. 

As  you  desired  I  may  not  omit  to  inform  you ;  so 
far  as  I  can  by  a  letter,  of  the  business  in  which  I  am 
now  engaged,  it  would  indeed  be  vastl}-  agreeable  to 
me  if  it  was  in  my  power  to  give  you  particular  intelli- 
gence concerning  the  state  and  plan  of  my  employment 
here. 

I  set  out  from  home  the  20'.^  of  Oct^  and  arrived 
at  the  Hon :  Robert  Carters,  of  Nominy,  in  Westmor- 
land County,  the  aS'.*"  I  began  to  teach  his  children 
the  first  of  November.  He  has  two  sons,  and  one 
Nephew;  the  oldest  Son  is  turned  of  seventeen,  and  is 
reading  Salust  and  the  greek  grammer ;  the  others  are 
about  fourteen,  and  in  english  grammer,  and  Arith- 
metic. He  has  besides  five  daughters  which  I  am  to 
teach  english,  the  eldest  is  turned  of  fifteen,  and  is 
reading  the  spectator;  she  is  employed  two  days  in 
every   week  in  learning  to  play   the   Forte-Piana,  and 

Harpsichord The  others  are  smaller,  and  learning 

to  read  and  spell.  M":  Carter  is  one  of  the  Councellors 
in  the  general  court  at  Williamsburg,  and  posesst  of  as 
great,  perhaps  the  clearest  fortune  according  to  the 
estimation  of  people  here,  of  any  man  in  Virginia.  He 
seems  to  be  a  good  scholar,  even  in  classical  learning, 
and  is  remarkable  one  in  english  grammar;  and  not- 
withstanding his  rank,  which  in  general  seems  to  coun- 
tenance indulgence  to  children,  both  himself  and  M'? 
Carter  have  a  manner  of  instructing  and  dealing  with 
children  far  superior,  I  may  say  it  with  confidence,  to 
any  I  have  ever  seen,  in  any  place,  or  in  any  family. 
They  keep  them  in  perfect   subjection  to  themselves, 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  279 

and  never  pass  over  an  occasion  of  reproof;  and  I 
blush  for  many  of  my  acquaintances  when  I  say  that 
the  children  are  more  kind  and  complaisant  to  the 
servants  who  constantly  attend  them  than  we  are  to 
our  superiors  in  age  and  condition.  M".  Carter  has  an 
overgrown  librar)-  of  Books  of  which  he  allows  me  the 
free  use.  It  consists  of  a  general  collection  of  law 
books,  all  the  Latin  and  Greek  Classicks,  vast  number 
of  books  on  Divinity  chiefly  by  writers  who  are  of  the 
established  Religion ;  he  has  the  works  of  almost  all 
the  late  famous  writers,  as  Locke,  Addison,  Young, 
Pope,  Svt'ift,  Dryden,  &c.  in  Short,  Sir,  to  speak 
moderately,  he  has  more  than  eight  times  )'our  number 

His  eldest  Son,'  who  seems  to  be  a  Boy  of  genius 

and  application  is  to  be  sent  to  Cambridge  University, 
but  1  believe  will  go  through  a  course  either  in  Phila- 
delphia or  Princeton  College  first.  As  to  what  is 
commonly  said  concerning  Virginia  that  it  is  difficult 
to  avoid  being  corrupted  with  the  manners  of  the 
people.  I  believe  it  is  founded  wholl}-  in  a  mistaken 
notion  that  persons  must,  when  here  frequent  all  pro- 
miscuous assemblies;  but  this  is  so  far  from  truth  that 
any  one  who  does  practise  it,  tho'  he  is  accused  of  no 
crime,  loses  at  once  his  character;  so  that  either  the 
manners  have  been  lately  changed,  or  the  report  is 
false,  for  he  seems  now  to  be  best  esteemed  and  most 
applauded  who  attends  to  his  business,  whatever  it  be, 
with  the  greatest  diligence.  I  believe  the  Virginians 
have  of  late  altered  their  manner  very  much,  for  they 
begin  to  find  that  their  estates  by  even  small  extrava- 
gance, decline,  and  grow  involved  with  debt,  this  seems 

'  Ben  Carter  did  not  take  a  course  at  Princeton  ;  he  is  said  to  have  died  in 
youth,  probably  before  entering  any  college,  as  it  is  shown  by  letters  of  Fithian 
that  he  was  in  very  delicate  health  in  1775. 


28o  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  be  the  spring  which  induces  the  People  of  fortune 
who  are  pattern  of  all  behaviour  here,  to  be  frugal, 
and  moderate.  You  may  expect  me  at  home  by  the 
permission  of  Providence  the  latter  end  of  april  next, 
or  the  beginning  of  may ;  and  as  I  proposed  I  shall 
present  my  exercises  for  the  examination  of  the  Pres- 
bytery ;  and  if  they  think  proper  I  shall  gladly  accept 
of  a  license  in  the  fall:  I  must  beg  your  favour  to 
mention  me  to  such  of  my  acquaintances  in  Deerfield  as 
you  think  proper,   but   especially   to   M^^  Green,   Miss 

Betsy,  your  family,  and  M?  Pecks 1  must  also  beg 

you  to  transmit  so  much  of  this  intelligence  to  M^  Hun- 
ter as  that  my  relations  in  Greenwich  may  know  that  I 
am  through  the  mercy  of  heaven  in  good  health.  I 
beg.  Sir,  you  will  not  fail  to  write,  and  let  it  be  known 
to  M^  Hunter,  that  a  Letter  will  come  as  secure  by  the 
Post  as  from  Cohansie  to  Philadelphia;  the  Letters 
are  to  be  directed  to  me  thus.  To  M":  Philip  V.  Fithian 
at  M^  Carters  of  Nominy,  to  be  left  at  Hobes  Hole. 
I  am.  Sir,  yours 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 

[To  THE  Rev.  Andrew  Hunter.'] 

NoMiNi  Hall,  Virginia,  June  3^  1774. 
Rev?  &  DEAR  Sir. 

It  will  not  be  wonderful  if  I  inform  you  that  this 
Colony  is  in  great  tumult  and  confusion.  The  general 
Voice  is  Boston,  you  will  have  heard  before  the  recep- 
tion of  this,  that  the  Governor  dissolved  the  Assembly 
in  this  province  on  their  resolve  to  keep  the  first  day 
of  June  on  which   the   Act  of   Parliament^  is  to  take 

'  Rev.  Andrew  Hunter,  Sr.,  of  Greenwich,  N.  J.     See  page  21,  note  i. 
''Known  as  the  Boston  Port  Bill.      To  this  dissolution  of  the  Virginia 
Assembly,  and  the  subsequent  action  of  its  members  in  issuing  the  first  call  for 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  28 1 

place  at  Boston  (excepting  the  days  of  grace)  a  solemn 
fast.  The  people  agree  however  in  general  to  unite 
with  the  people  of  Boston  and  the  other  northern  trad- 
ing Cities,  and  by  their  example  to  influence  all  the 
Colonies,  not  to  make  any  resistance  to  the  Britains, 
but  to  keep  themselves  independent,  and  refuse  to 
receive  their  comodities,  and  keep  within  themselves, 
their  own  more  valuable  comodities,  because  they  are 

for  the  support  of  life So  stedfast  are  the  people 

here  that  the  Captain  of  a  Ship  belonging  to  an  emi- 
nent house  in  London  was  yesterday  refused  any  more 
Tobacco  til'  there  is  intelligence  from  the  Northward.^ 

The  frost  which  happened  the  4^*^  of  May,  was  by 
far  more  severe  and  fatal  here  than  either  in  Mary- 
land,  New-Jersey,  or   Pennsylvania The  expected 

produce  of  Gardens  and  Peaches,  (which  were  some 
planters  chief  dependence)  are  not  only  almost  wholly 
destroy'd,  but  in  y^  upper  parts  of  the  province  Wheat 
and  Rye  are  so  much  cut  off  that  the  owners  think 
it  best  to  mow  it  down  for  fodder! 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  had  a 
speedy  and  pleasant  ride ;  found  the  family  in  good 
health ;  that  it  is  a  time  of  general  health  in  the  County 
and  that  I  am  again  agreeably  settled  to  business. 

the  annual  convening  of  a  federal  congress,  is  due  much  of  the  perfection  of 
government  and  the  unity  of  purpose  exhibited  by  the  Colonies  in  the  defense 
of  their  rights.  The  Virginia  Assembly,  also,  was  the  first  to  recommend  the 
appointment  of  intercolonial  committees  of  correspondence. 

'  The  plan  of  forcing  a  redress  of  grievances  by  commercial  non-inter- 
course was  generally  suggested.  The  Boston  Committee,  writing  to  the  coun- 
ties and  towns  of  Massachusetts,  said  :  "It  is  the  last  and  only  method  of 
preserving  the  land  from  slavery,  without  drenching  it  in  blood."  The  Virginia 
Convention,  which  met  at  Williamsburg,  August  1-6,  1774,  for  the  purpose  of 
appointing  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress,  agreed,  that  unless  American 
grievances  were  redressed  before  August  10,  1775,  they  would  not,  after  that 
date,  export  tobacco  or  any  other  article  whatever  to  Great  Britain.  (Henry's 
Patrick  Henry,  Life,  Correspondence  and  Speeches,  V.  I,  185,  et  seq). 


282  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Please   to   make   my   compliments   to   M":^  Hunter, 

Miss  Nancy,  Andrew,  and  to  Uncles  family 1  am, 

Sir.  Your  most  obedient 

Most  humble  serv^ 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 

[To  John  Peck.] 

NoMiNi  Hall  June  3^  1774. 
Virginia. 
Sir. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  I  arriv'd  safe  and 
had   a  pleasant   ride ;     I   expect  to   hear  from  you  by 

every  post  but  have  received  no  letter  yet If  you 

did  not  receive  my  letter  dated  "  Delaware-River,  on 
board  the  Swallow,"  this  is  to  request  you  to  apply 
immediately  to  D":  Witherspoon  who  promised  me  in 
Philadelphia  that  he  would  recommend  you  here ;  the 
reason  of  my  demanding  dispatch  is,  that  M'!  Carter 
proposes  to  write  to  England  for  a  Tutor  if  he  cannot 
be  speedily  satisfied  of  having  one  from  the  Northward 

If  I   attempt  to  write  news  I  must  inform  you  that 

the  Assembly  of  this  province  is  dissolved  on  passing  a 
resolve  to  keep  the  first  day  of  June  through  the  whole 
province  a  solemn  fast,  the  resolve  past  however,  and 

the  day  was  kept The  frost  of  the  4^''  of   May  was 

much  more  fatal  here  than  to  the  Northward,  for  not 
only  Garden  produce,  but  Wheat  and  Rye  in  the  upper 
parts  of  the  province  are  blasted  and  the  owners  mow 
them  down  for  fodder;    and   here  the  Woods  look  like 

winter! 1  expect  to  hear  from   you  several  times 

this  summer,  I  beg  you  will  not  disappoint  me. 

My  compliments  to  acquaintances 

From,  Sir,  yours 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  283 

To  M?   George  Lee.* 

July   30'.''   1774. 
Sir. 

With  my  compliments  I  am  to  inform  you  that 
Ben:  Carter  is,  of  necessity,  to  go  this  day  into  Rich- 
mond;  and  as  my  company  alone  will  not  be  equal  to 
the  trouble  you  must  be  at  I  give  you  this  timely  notice 
that  you  may  avoid  it, 

1  am, 
with  many  thanks  for  your 
Invitation,  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  serv^ 

P.    V.   FiTHIAN. 

[To  John   Peck.'] 

NoMixi  Hall  August  lal**  1774. 

"  Si  bene  moneo,  attende." 

Sir. 

1  never  reflect,  but  with  secret,  and  peculiar  pleas- 
ure, on  the  time  when  1  studied  in  Deerfield  with  you, 
&  several  other  pleasant  Companions,  under  our  com- 
mon, &  much  respected  instructor,  M^  Green.  And  1 
acknowledge  now,  with  a  thankful  heart,  the  many 
favours,  which  I  received  from  your  family  while  I  was 
a    member   of    it.     This    sense    of   obligation    to    your 

'  George  Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant.  The  curt  tone  of  this  note  may  be 
explained  by  the  fact  that  it  was  probably  this  George  Lee  who  was  guilty  of 
a  rudeness  to  Fithian  at  the  ball  given  by  Squire  Lee,  January  iS,  1774.  See 
page  96. 

'  This  lengthy  but  interesting  letter  to  John  Peck,  who  was  about  to 
succeed  Fithian  as  tutor  at  Nomini  Hall,  was  intended  to  serve  as  an  introduc- 
tion to  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  position  and  as  a  guide  for  his  future 
course  of  conduct.  It  shows  Hthian  to  have  been  a  close  obser\'er  as  well  as  a 
deep  student  of  human  nature. 


284  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Family,  And  personal  friendship  for  you,  have  excited 
me,  when  it  was  in  my  power,  to  introduce  you  to  the 
business  which  I  now  occupy;  into  a  famil}^  where,  if 
you  be  prudent  and  industrious,  I  am  confident  you 
will  speedily  acquire  to  yourself  both  Honour  &  Profit 

But  inasmuch  as  3'ou  are  wholly  a  stranger  to  this 

Province ;  &  have  had  little  or  no  experience  in  the 
business  which  you  are  shortly  to  enter  upon;  &  lest, 
from  common  Fame,  which  is  often  erroneous,  you 
shall  have  entertained  other  notions  of  the  manners  of 
the  People  here,  &  of  your  business  as  a  Tutor,  than 
you  will  find,  when  you  come,  to  be  actually  true;  1 
hope  you  will  not  think  it  vain  or  untimely,  if  I  venture 
to  lay  before  you  some  Rules  for  your  direction  which 
I  have  collected  from  a  year's  observation.  I  shall 
class  what  I  have  to  say  in  the  following  order.  First. 
I  shall  attempt  to  give  you  some  direction  for  the  plan 
of  your  Conduct  among  your  neighbours,  &  the  People 
in  General  here,  so  long  as  you  sustain  the  character  of 
a  Tutor.  Then  I  shall  advise  you  concerning  the 
rules  which  I  think  will  be  most  profitable  &  convenient 
in  the  management  of  your  little  lovely  charge,  the 
School.  Last  of  all.  I  shall  mention  several  Rules  for 
your  personal  conduct.  I  choose  to  proceed  in  the 
order  I  have  laid  down,  as  well  that  you  may  more 
fully  &  speedily  receive  my  mind,  as  that  you  may  also 
the  more  readily  select  out  and  apply  what  you  shall 
find  to  be  most  necessary. 

First.  When  you  have  thought  of  removing,  for 
a  Time,  out  of  the  Colony  in  which  you  was  born,  & 
in  which  you  have  hitherto  constantly  resided,  I  make 
no  doubt  but  you  have  at  the  same  time  expected  to 
find  a  very  considerable  alteration  of  manners,  among 
your  new  acquaintances,  &  some  peculiarities  toto  Coelo 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  285 

different,  from  any  you  have  before  been  accustomed 
to.  Such  a  thought  is  natural ;  And  you  will  if  you 
come  into  Virginia,  in  much  shorter  time  than  a  year, 
be  convinced  that  it  is  just.  In  New-Jersey  Govern- 
ment throughout,  but  especially  in  the  Counties  where 
you  have  any  personal  acquaintance.  Gentlemen  in  the 
first  rank  of  Dignity  &  Quality,  of  the  Council,  general 
Assembly,  inferior  Magistrates,  Clergy-men,  or  inde- 
pendent Gentlemen,  without  the  smallest  fear  of  bring- 
ing any  manner  of  reproach  either  on  their  office,  or 
their  high-born,  long  recorded  Families  associate  freely 
&  commonly  with  Farmers  &  Mechanicks  tho'  they 
be  poor  &  industrious.  Ingenuity  &  industry  are  the 
Strongest,  &  most  approved  recommendations  to  a  Man 
in  that  Colony.  The  manners  of  the  People  seem  to 
me,  (probablv  I  am  overborn  by  the  force  of  prejudice 
in  favour  of  my  native  Soil),  to  bear  some  considerable 
resemblance    of    the    manners   in    the    ancient    Spartan 

Common-Wealth The  Valour  of  its   Inhabitants  — 

was  the  best,  &  only  security  of  that  State  against  the 
enemy ;  &  the  wise  laws  of  its  renowned  Legislator 
were   the  powerful   Cement   which   kept  them   firm   & 

invincible In  our  Government,  the  laborious  part 

of  Men,  who  are  commonly  ranked  in  the  midling  or 
lower  Class,  are  accounted  the  strength  &  Honour  of 
the  Colony ;  &  the  encouragement  they  receive  from 
Gentlemen  in  the  highest  stations  is  the  spring  of 
Industry,  next  to  their  private  advantage.  The  Levil 
which  is  admired  in  New-Jersey  Government,  among 
People  of  every  rank,  arises,  no  doubt,  from  the  very 
great  division  of  the  lands  in  that  Province,  &  con- 
sequently from  the  near  approach  to  an  equality  of 
Wealth  among  the  Inhabitants,  since  it  is  not  famous 
for   trade.      You  know  very  well  that  the  Lands  in  a 


286  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

small  township  are  divided,  &  then  again  subdivided 
into  two  &  three  Hundred  Separate,  proper,  creditable 
estates ;  for  example  Deer  field  &  Fairfield  two  Town- 
ships, or  Precincts,  in  which  you  &  I  are  tolerably  well 
acquainted,  in  the  former  of  which,  are  the  Seats  of 
two  Judges  of  the  Sessions;  &  in  the  latter  resides  one 
of  the  representatives  in  General  Assembly  for  the 
County;  But  if  16000^  would  purchase  the  whole 
landed  estates  of  these  three  Gentlemen,  who  are  sup- 
posed to  be  the  most  wealthy  in  the  County,  if  we  rate 
their  Land  at  the  Low  Consideration  of  4^  p":  acre, 
with  all  conveniences,  each  would  have  4000  Acres. 
Now  you  may  suppose  how  small  a  quantity  many  must 
have  when  two  or  three  hundred  Landholders  reside  in 
each  of  these  small  Precincts ;  Hence  we  see  Gentle- 
men, when  they  are  not  actually  engaged  in  the  publick 
Service,  on  their  farms,  setting  a  laborious  example  to 
their  Domesticks,  &  on  the  other  hand  we  see  labourers 
at  the  Tables  &  in  the  Parlours  of  their  Betters  enjoy- 
ing the  advantage,  &  honour  of  their  society  and  Con- 
versation  1  do  not  call  it  an  objection  to  this,  that 

some  few,  who  have  no  substance  but  work  like  Slaves 
as  necessity  drives  them  for  a  few  Months  in  the  year; 
with  the  price  of  this  Labour  they  visit  Philadelphia; 
&  having  there  acquired  a  fashionable  Coat,  &  a  Stock 
of  Impudence,  return  home  to  spend  the  remainder  of 

the  year,  in  idleness  &  disgrace! But  you  will  find 

the  tables  turned  the  moment  you  enter  this  Colony. 
The  very  Slaves  in  some  families  here,  could  not  be 
bought  under  30000;^.  Such  amazing  property,  no 
matter  how  deep  it  is  involved,  blows  up  the  owners  to 
an  imagination,  which  is  visible  in  all,  but  in  various 
degrees  according  to  their  respective  virtue,  that  they 
are  exalted  as  much  above  other  Men  in  worth  &  pre- 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  287 

cedency,  as  blind  stupid  fortune  has  made  a  difference 
in  their  property;  excepting  always  the  value  they  put 

upon  posts  of  honour,  &  mental  acquirements For 

example,  if  you  should  travel  through  this  Colony,  with 
a  well-confirmed  testimonial  of  your  having  finished 
with  Credit  a  Course  of  studies  at  Nassau-Hall;  you 
would  be  rated,  without  an}-  more  questions  asked, 
either  about  your  family,  your  Estate,  your  business, 
or  your  intention,  at  lo.oooii^ ;  and  you  might  come,  & 
go,  &  converse,  &  keep  company,  according  to  this 
value ;  and  you  would  be  despised  and  slighted  if  you 
rated  yourself  a  farthing  cheaper.  But  when  I  am 
giving  directions  to  you  from  an  expectation  that  you 
will  be  shortly  a  resident  here,  altho  you  have  gone 
through  a  College  Course,  &  for  an3-thing  I  know,  have 
never  written  a  Libel,  nor  stolen  a  Turkey,  yet  I  think 
myself  in  duty  bound  to  advise  you,  lest  some  pow- 
dered Coxcomb  should  reproach  your  education,  to 
cheapen  your  price  about  5000^!" ;  because  any  young 
Gentleman  travelling  through  the  Colony,  as  I  said 
before,  is  presumed  to  be  acquainted  with  Dancing, 
Boxing,  playing  the  Fiddle,  &  Small-Sword,  &  Cards. 
Several  of  which  you  was  only  entering  upon,  when  I 
left  New-Jersey;  towards  the  Close  of  last  year;  and  if 
you  stay  here  any  time  your  Barrenness  in  these  must 
be  detected.  I  will,  however,  allow,  that  in  the  Family 
where  you  act  as  tutor  you  place  yourself,  according 
to  your  most  acute  Calculation,  at  a  perfect  equidis- 
tance between  the  father  &  the  eldest  Son.  Or  let  the 
same  distance  be  observed  in  every  article  of  behaviour 
between  you  &  the  eldest  Son,  as  there  ought  to  be, 
by  the  latest  &  most  approved  precepts  of  Moral- 
Philosophy,  between  the  eldest  Son  &  his  next  young- 
est Brother.     But  whenever  you  go  from  Home,  where 


288  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

you  are  to  act  on  your  own  footing,  either  to  a  Ball ;  or 
to  a  Horse-Race,  or  to  a  Cock-FigJit,  or  to  a  Fish-Feast,  I 
advise  that  you  rate  yourself  very  low  &  if  you  bett  at 
all,  remember  that  io,ooo;^  in  Reputation  &  learning 
does    not  amount  to  a  handfull  of    Shillings   in    ready 

Cash !  One    considerable    advantage    which     you 

promise  yourself  by  coming  to  this  Colony  is  to  extend 
the  Limits  of  your  acquaintance;  this  is  laudable,  &  if 
you  have  enough  of  prudence  &  firmness,  it  will  be  a 

singular  advantage Yet  attempt  slowly  &  with  the 

most  Jealous  Circumspection If  you  fix  your  famil- 
iarity wrong  in  a  single  instance,  you  are  in  danger  of 

total,  if  not  immediate  ruin You  come  here,  it  is 

true,  with  an  intention  to  teach,  but  you  ought  like- 
wise to  have  an  inclination  to  learn.  At  any  rate  I 
solemnly  injoin  it  upon  you,  that  you  never  suffer  the 
Spirit  of  a  Pedagogue  to  attend  you  without  the  walls 
of  your  little  Seminary.  In  all  promiscuous  Company 
be  as  silent  &  attentive  as  Decency  will  allow  you,  for 
you  have  nothing  to  communicate,  which  such  com- 
pany, will  hear  with  pleasure,  but  you  may  learn  many 
things  which,  in  after  life,  will  do  you  singular  service. 

In  regard  to  Company  in  general,  if  you  think  it 

worth  your  while  to  attend  to  my  example,  I  can  easily 
instruct  you  in  the  manner  of  my  Conduct  in  this 
respect.  I  commonly  attend  Church;  and  often,  at  the 
request  of  Gentlemen,  after  Service  according  to  the 

custom,  dine  abroad  on  Sunday 1  seldom  fail,  when 

invited  by  M":  &  M":^  Carter,  of  going  out  with  them ; 
but  I  make  it  a  point,  however  strongly  solicited  to  the 

contrary,  to   return    with   them   too Except  in  one 

of  these  cases,  I  seldom  go  out,  but  with  a  valuable 
variety  of  books  I  live  according  to  Horace's  direc- 
tion.   &  love  "Secretum  Iter  et  fallentis  Semita  Vitae." 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  289 

Close  retirement  and  a  life  by  Stealth.  The  last  direc- 
tion I  shall  venture  to  mention  on  this  head,  is,  that 
you  abstain  totally  from  Women.  What  I  would  have 
you  understand  from  this,  is,  that  by  a  train  of  faultless 
conduct  in  the  whole  course  of  3-our  tutorship,  you 
make  ever}-  Lady  within  the  Sphere  of  your  acquaint- 
ance, who  is  between  twelve  &  forty  years  of  age,  so 
much  pleased  with  your  person,  &  so  satisfied  as  to 
your  ability  in  the  capacit}-  of  a  Teacher;  &  in  short, 
fully  convinced,  that,  from  a  principle  of  Duty,  you 
have,  both  by  night  and  by  day  endeavoured  to  acquit 
yourself  honourably,  in  the  Character  of  a  Tutor;  & 
that,  on  this  account,  you  have  their  free  and  hearty 
consent,  without  making  any  manner  of  demand  upon 
you,  either  to  stay  longer  in  the  County  with  them, 
which  they  would  choose,  or  whenever  3'our  business 
calls  you  away,  that  they  may  not  have  it  in  their 
Power  either  by  charms  or  Justice  to  detain  you,  & 
when  you  must  leave  them,  have  their  sincere  wishes 
&  constant  prayrs  for  Length  of  days  &  much  pros- 
perity, I  therefore  beg  that  you  will  attend  literally  to 
this  advice,  &  abstain  totally  from  Women.  But  this 
last  precaution,  which  I  have  been  at  some  pains  to 
dress  in  the  plainest  language,  I  am  much  inclined  to 
think,  will  be  wholly  useless  in  regard  to  you,  notwith- 
standing it  is  founded  in  that  Honor  and  Equity  which  is 
on  all  hands  allow'd  to  be  due  from  one  Sex  to  the 
other,  &  to  many  of  your  age,  &  Standing  would  be 
entirely  salutary.  Because  the  necessary  connections 
which  you  have  had  with  the  Fair,  from  your  Puberty 
upwards  have  been  so  unfavourable  &  ill-fated,  that 
instead  of  apprehending  any  danger  on  the  score  of 
your  fondness,  I  am  fearful  your  rancour  has  grown  so 
inveterate  at  length,  as,  not  only  to  preserve  you,  in 


290  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

thought  &  practice,  pure  of  every  Fleshly  foible,  but 
has  carried  you  so  far  towards  the  other  extreme,  that 
you  will  need  many  persuasions,  when  your  circum- 
stances shall  seem  to  require  it,  to  bring  you  back  to 
a  rational  &  manly  habit  of  thinking  &  acting  with 
respect  to  the  Sex;  which  yet,  after  all  (&  eternally 
will  continue  to  be,  tho'  it  is  so  much  courted  &  whined 
after)  if  considered  in  the  fullest  manner,  &  set  forth  to 
the  best  advantage,  never  rising  above  its  divine  defini- 
tion Viz  "The  weaker  Vessel."  But  without  detaining 
you  any  longer  with  a  matter  merely  depending  on 
accident  or  Circumstance  I  pass  on  to  the  second  Gen- 
eral Head;  in  which  "  Ludis  atque  Jocis  amotis "  I 
shall  offer  to  your  consideration  and  recommend  for 
your  practice  several  Rules  concerning  the  manage- 
ment of  the  School. 

Second.  You  will  act  wisely,  if,  from  the  begin- 
ing,  you  convince  all  your  Scholars  which  you  may 
easily  do,  of  your  abilities  in  the  several  branches, 
which  3^ou  shall  profess  to  teach ;  you  are  not  to  tell 
them,  totidem  Verbis,  "  that  you  understand,  perhaps 
as  well  as  any  man  on  the  Continent  both  the  Latin  & 
Greek  Classics;"  "&  have  gone  through  the  usual 
Course  in  the  noted  College  of  New-Jersey,  under  Dr 
Witherspoon,  so  universally  known  &  admired,  where 
you  have  studied  Criticism,  Oratory,  History,  not  to 
mention  Mathematical  cS:  philosophical  Studies  &  dipt  a 
good  way  into  the  French-Language,  &  that  you  have 
learned  a  smattering  of  Dancing,  Cards,  &c.  &c.  &c." 
For  Dun — p  or  Hach — n  or  the  most  profound  dunce 
in  your  College  or  School  would  have  too  much  sense 
to  pass  such  impudence  by,  &  not  despise  and  reproach 
it;  but  you  may  speedily  &  certainly  make  them  think 
you  a  "  Clever  Fellow"  (which  is  a  phraise  in  use  here 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND   LETTERS  29I 

for  a  good  Scholar)  if  you  never  mention  anything 
before  them,  only  what  you  seem  to  be  wholly  master 

of This    will    teach    them    never    to    dispute    your 

determination,  &  always  to  rely  upon  your  judgements; 
two  things  which  are  most  essential  for  your  peace,  & 
their  advantage.  That  you  may  avoid  yourself  of  this 
with  certainty,  I  shall  recommend  for  your  practice 
the  following  method,  as  useful  at  least,  if  not  entirely 
necessary.  Read  over  carefully,  the  lessons  in  Latin 
&  Greek,  in  your  leisure  hours,  that  the  story  &  Lan- 
guage be  fresh  in  your  memory,  when  you  are  hearing 
the  respective  lessons;  for  your  memory  is  treacherous, 
&  I  am  pretty  certain  it  would  confound  you  if  you 
should  be  accosted  by  a  pert  School-Boy,  in  the  midst 

of  a  blunder,  with   "  Physician  heal  thyself"! You 

ought  likewise  to  do  this  with  those  who  are  working 
Figures;  probably  you  may  think  that  because  the 
highest  Cypherer  is  onh'  in  decimal  arithmetic,  it  is 
not  therefore  worth  your  critical  attention  to  be  look- 
ing previously  into  the  several  Sums.  But  you  are  to 
consider  that  a  sum  in  the  Square-Root,  or  even  in  the 
Single-Rule  of  three  direct,  is  to  your  Pupils  of  as 
great  importance,  as  the  most  abstrvise  problem  in  the 
Mathematicks  to  an  able  artist;  &  you  may  lay  this 
down  for  a  Maxim,  that  they  will  reckon  upon  your 
abilities,  according  as  they  find  you  acquainted  &  expert 
in  what  the}'  themselves  are  studying.  If  therefore 
you  have  resolution  (as  I  do  not  question  your  ability) 
to  carry  this  plan  which  I  have  laid  down  into  execu- 
tion ;  you  will  thereby  convince  them  of  the  propriety 
of  their  Subordination  to  you,  &  obedience  to  your 
instructions,  so  that  you  may  lead  them,  without  any 
resistance,  and  fix  them  to  the  Study  of  whatever 
Science    you    think    proper,    in    which    they    will    rise 


292  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

according  to  their  respective  capacities.  I  have  said 
that  3^ou  ought  to  strive  "  from  the  beginning  "  in  fixing 
this  very  material  article  in  the  minds  of  your  Scholars, 
Viz  a  Sense  of  your  authority  ;  for  one  error  of  Judg- 
ment, or  false  determination  will  diminish  your  ability 
with  them  more  than  doing  forty  things  with  truth 
would  increase  your  authority  — - — -  They  act  in  this 
case  as  you   would  do  in  the  company  of  a  number  of 

Strangers A  whole  evenings  conversation,  if  it  was 

tolerable  good  Sense,  would  perhaps  make  little  or  no 
impression  on  you ;  But  if  through  hast  in  speaking,  or 
inattention,  any  one  would  let  fall  a  sentence  either 
remarkably  foolish,  or  grossly  wicked,  it  would  be 
difficult  if  not  impossible  to  persuade  you  presently  that 
the  author  was  not  either  a  thick-Skull,  or  a  Villain ! 
The  education  of  children  requires  constant  unre- 
mitting attention.  The  meanest  qualification  you  can 
mention  in  a  useful  teacher  is  diligence.  And  without 
diligence  no  possible  abilities  or  qualifications  can  bring 
children  on  either  with  speed  or  profit.  There  must 
be  a  Combination  of  qualifications  which  must  all  oper- 
ate strongly  &  uniformly.  In  short,  give  this  said 
Pedagogizing  the  softest  name  you  will,  it  is  still  a 
"  difficult  Task."  You  will  meet  with  numberless  diffi- 
culties in  your  new  imployment,  which  you  never 
dreamt  had  yet  existence.  All  these  you  must  en- 
deavor to  resist  &  Subdue.  This  I  have  seen  compared 
to  a  Man  swimming  against  a  current  of  Water.  But  I 
am  mistaken  if  you  will  agree,  after  having  six  months 
practice,  that  the  comparison  be  strong  as  the  truth : 
You  will  add  to  the  figure,  I  am  certain,  &  throw  into 
the  Current  sharp  fragments  of  Ice,  &  Blocks,  which 
would  make  swimming  not  only  difficult  but  danger- 
ous!     I  am  not  urging  these  things  to  discourage  you; 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  293 

they  are  hints  for  your  direction,  which,  if  you  will 
attend  to,  tho'  at  first  the  practice  seem  rough  and 
unpleasant,  shall  yet  make  the  remainder  of  your  task 
pleasing,  &  the  whole  of  it  useful.  I  will  mention 
several  of  these  Obstacles  that  you  may  the  more  easily 
guard  against  them.  You  will,  in  the  first  place,  be 
often  solicited  probably  oftner  than  you  would  wish,  to 
ride  abroad  ;  this,  however,  if  you  do  it  moderately,  & 
in  seasonable  time,  &  go  to  proper  compan}-,  I  recom- 
mend as  conducive  to  health  to  one  in  your  sedentary 
manner  of  living.  But  if  you  go  much  into  company, 
A'ou  will  find  it  extremely  difficult  to  break  away  with 
any  manner  of  credit  till  very  late  at  night  or  in  most 
cases  for  several  days,  &  if  you  are  wanting  to  your 
School,  you  do  manifest  injury  to  your  Imployer.  In 
this  case,  I  advise  you  to  copy  M":  Carter.  Whenever 
he  invites  you,  ride.  You  may  sta}-,  and  talk,  &  drink, 
&  ride  to  as  great  excess  as  he ;  &  ma}'  with  safety 
associate  yourself  with  those  whom  you  find  to  be  his 
intimates.  In  all  other  Cases,  except  when  you  ride 
to  Church,  at  least  till  you  are  ver}-  intimate  in  the 
Colon}',  you  had  better  ride  to  a  certain  Stvimp,  or  to 
some  noted  plantation,  or  pretty  landscape;  you  will 
have  in  this  every  advantage  of  exercise,  the  additional 
advantage  of  undisturbed  Meditation,  &  you  will  be 
under  no  Jealous  apprehension  in  point  of  behaviour, 
nor  any  restraint  as  to  the  time  of  your  return. 

Another  current  difficulty  will  be  petitions  for 
holidays.  You  must  have  good  deal  of  steadiness  if 
you  are  able  to  evade  cleverly  this  practice  which  has 
grown  so  habitual  to  your  little  charge  from  a  false 
method  in  their  early  education  that  they  absolutely 
claim  it  as  a  necessary  right. 

You  must  also  as  much  as  vou  can,  avoid  visible 


294  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

partiality.  At  least  you  must  never  suffer  your  fond- 
ness for  one  Scholar  to  grow  so  manifest,  as  that  all 
your  School  shall  see  you  look  over  a  fault  in  him  or 
her  which  same  fault,  if  committed  by  another,  you 
severely  chastise.  This  will  certainly  produce  in  the 
others  hatred  &  contempt.  A  fourth  difficulty,  and  the 
last  I  shall  mention,  consists  in  knowing  when,  &  in 
what  measure  to  give  the  Boys  Liberty  to  go  from 
Home.  The  two  younger  Boys  are  wholly  under  your 
inspection ;  so  that  not  only  the  progress  the}'  make  in 
learning,  but  their  moral  Conduct  (for  both  of  these  are 
critically  observed  &  examined)  either  justifies  or  con- 
demns your  management  to  the  World.  If  you  keep 
them  much  at  home,  &  close  to  business,  they  them- 
selves will  call  you  unfeeling  and  cruel;  &  refuse  to  be 
industrious;  if  you  suffer  them  to  go  much  abroad  they 
are  certainly  out  of  the  way  of  improvement  by  Study, 
probably,  by  discovering  their  gross  Ignorance,  they 
will  expose  to  ridicule  both  themselves  and  all  their 
former  instructors,  &  possibly  they  may  commit  actual 
Crimes  so  as  very  much  to  injure  themselves,  &  scan- 
dalize their  family ;  but  in  each  of  these  you  will  have 
a  large  share  of  blame,  perhaps  more  than  the  parents, 

or  even  the   Boys  themselves It  will  be   said  that 

the  parents  gave  them  no  license  relying  wholly  on 
your  judgment  &  prudence,  this  will  in  a  good  measure 
justify  them  to  the  world.  And  as  to  the  Boys  they 
are  full  of  youthful  impetuosity  &  vigour,  &  these  com- 
pel them,  when  they  are  free  of  restraint,  to  commit 
actions  which  with  proper  management  they  had  surely 
avoided.  1  say,  when  you  lay  these  things  together,  & 
view  them  on  every  side  you  will  find  so  many  perplex- 
ities arising  in  your  mind,  from  a  sense  of  ignorance  of 
your  duty,  that  you  will  proceed  with  caution  &  moder- 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  295 

ation,  &  will  be  careful!  to  examine  with  some  precision 
into  the  circumstances  of  time,  company,  &  Btisiness 
when  you  license  them  to  go  out  entirely  at  the  risk  of 

your  Reputation But  the  practice  of  three  or  four 

Weeks  will  give  you  a  more  full  notion  of  these  and 
many  other  incidents  that  I  am  able  now  either  to 
recollect  or  express ;  I  shall  have  gained  my  End  if 
these  hints  prevent  you  from  setting  off  wrong,  &  doing 
inadvertently  at  first  what  your  Scholars  will  assert  to 
be  precedents  for  your  after  conduct.  I  go  on,  there- 
fore, in  the  third  place  as  I  proposed. 

Third.  To  mention  several  Rules  for  your  per- 
sonal conduct.  The  happy  education  which  you  have 
had  in  point  of  religion,  you  ought  to  consider  as  an 
important  and  distinguishing  Blessing  of  Heaven.  That 
train  of  useful  Instruction,  Advice,  &  Example  to  which 
you  have  been  accustomed  from  your  infancy  is  a  more 
perfect,  &  will  be  a  safer  guide  in  your  future  walk, 
than  any  directions  I  am  able  to  give  you.  You  have 
taken  notice  of  a  method  for  assistance  in  Composition, 
which  Longinus  recommends. 

Place,  says  he,  in  imagination,  several  eminent 
ancient  Authors  before  your  Eyes,  &  suppose  that  they 
inspect  your  Work,  a  Sense  of  inferiority  would  make 
you  diligent,  &  your  composition  accurate.  Perhaps 
the  same  advice  when  transferred  to  Morality,  would 
be  equally  salutary.  Unless  it  be  objected  that  a  Belief 
of  Gods  presence  at  all  times  in  every  place  is  the 
strongest  possible  restraint  against  committing  sin. 
This  I  constantly  admit;  but  when  1  consider  how 
easily  our  minds  are  put  in  motion,  &  how  strongly 
they  are  sometimes  agitated  merely  by  the  senses,  & 
that  the  senses  are  affected  most  by  things  which  fall 
under  their  immediate  notice,  1  am  fully  convinced  that 


296  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

if  some  such  plan  as  I  have  just  mentioned  should  be 
fallen  upon,  &  practised,  it  would  make  a  visible  and 

useful  change   in  our   behaviour In    this   place    I 

think   it  needful   to  caution    you   against   hasty  and  ill 
founded  prejudices. 

When  you  enter  among  a  people,  &  find  that  their 
manner  of  living,  their  Eating,  Drinking,  Diversions, 
Exercise,  &c,  are  in  many  respects  different  from  any- 
thing you  have  been  accustomed  to,  you  will  be  apt  to 
fix  your  opinion  in  an  instant,  &  (as  some  divines  deal 
with  poor  Sinners)  you  will  condemn  all  before  you 
without  any  meaning  or  distinction  what  seems  in  your 
judgment  disagreeable  at  first  view,  when  you  are  smit- 
ten with  the  novelty.  You  will  be  making  ten  thousand 
Comparisons.  The  face  of  the  Country,  The  Soil,  the 
Buildings,  the  Slaves,  the  Tobacco,  the  method  of  spending 
Sunday  among  Christians;  Ditto  among  the  Negroes; 
the  three  grand  divisions  of  time  at  the  Church  on  Sun- 
days, Viz.  before  Service,  giving  &  receiving  letters  of 
business,  reading  Advertisements,  consulting  about  the 
price  of  Tobacco,  Grain,  &c.  &  settling  either  the 
lineage.  Age,  or  qualities  of  favourite  Horses.  2.  In 
the  Church  at  Service,  prayrs  read  over  in  haste,  a 
Sermon  seldom  under  &  never  over  twenty  minutes, 
but  always  made  up  of  sound  morality,  or  deep  studied 
Metaphy sicks.  3.  After  Service  is  over  three  quarters 
of  an  hour  spent  in  strolling  round  the  Church  among 
the  Crowd,  in  which  time  you  will  be  invited  by  several 
different  Gentlemen  home  with  them  to  dinner.  The 
Balls,  the  Fish-Feasts,  the  Dancing-Schools,  the  Christ- 
nings,  the  Cock  fights,  the  Horse-Races,  the  Chariots, 
the  Ladies  Masked,  for  it  is  a  custom  among  the  West- 
morland Ladies  whenever  they  go  from  home,  to  muffle 
up  their  heads,  &  Necks,  leaving  only  a  narrow  passage 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  297 

for  the  Eyes,  in  Cotton  or  silk  handkerchiefs ;  I  was  in 
distress  for  them  when  I  first  came  into  the  Colony,  for 
every  Woman  that  I  saw  abroad,  I  looked  upon  as  ill 

either  with  the  Mumps  or  Tooth-Ach ! I  say,  you 

will  be  often  observing  &  comparing  these  things  which 
I  have  enumerated,  &  many  more  that  now  escape  me, 
with  the  manner  of  spending  Money  time  &  credit  at 
Cohansie:  You  are  young,  &,  (you  will  allow  me  the 
Expression)  in  the  morning  of  Life.  But  I  hope  you 
have  plann'd  off,  and  entered  upon  the  work  which  is 
necessary  to  be  performed  in  the  course  of  your  Day ; 
if  not,  I  think  it  my  duty  to  acquaint  you,  that  a 
combination  of  the  amusements  which  I  have  just  now 
mentioned,  being  always  before  your  Eyes,  &  inviting 
your  Compliance  will  have  a  strong  tendency  to  keep 
you  doubtful  &  unsettled,  in  your  notions  of  Morality 
&  Religion,  or  else  will  fix  you  in  a  false  &  dangerous 
habit  of  thinking  &  acting,  which  must  terminate  at 
length  in  Sorrow  &  despair.  You  are  therefore,  if  you 
count  anything  upon  the  value  of  my  advice,  to  fix  the 
plan  in  which  you  would  spend  your  life;  let  this  be 
done  with  deliberation.  Candour,  &  precision,  looking 
to  him  for  direction,  by  fervent  Prayr,  who  is  the 
"  Wonderful  Counsellor";  &  when  you  have  done  this, 
let  no  importunity  of  whatever  kind  prevail  over  you, 
&  cause  you  to  transgress  your  own  Limitations.  I 
have  already  exceeded  the  usual  bounds  of  an  Epistle. 
But  you  will  easily  pardon  a  little  prolixity,  when  I 
assure  you  it  flows  from  a  heart  deeply  impressed  with 
a  sense  of  the  many  difficulties  which  you  must  encoun- 
ter, &  the  dangers  which  will  surround  you  when  you 
come  first  out  from  the  peaceful  recess  of  Contempla- 
tion, &  enter,  young  and  unexperienced,  into  the 
tumultuous  undiscerning  World.      I  submit  these  hints 


298  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

to  your  consideration,  &  have  nothing  more  than  sin- 
cere &  ardent  wishes  for  your  present  &  perpetual 
Felicity. 

I  am,  Sir, 
To  Ml  John  Peck,  yours, 

on  going  to  Virginia  in  Phiilip  V.  Fithian. 

Character  of  a  Tutor. 

[To  Peletiah  Webster.'] 

Nomini-Hall  Virginia,  aug^  2V}.  1774. 
Sir. 

I  have  an  oppertunity  b}^  some  gentlemen,  who  go 
from  this  Colony  to  the  Congress,  of  writing  you  a  line 
according  to  promise,  since  I  saw  you,  I  have  been  in 
good  health ; 

The  reigning  spirit  in  Virginia  is  liberty And 

the  universal  topic  politicks I  suppose  it  to  be  the 

same  with  you.  God  Almighty  knows  where  these 
civil  tumults  will  end ;    probably  not  without  War  & 

Blood ! I   have  but  little  to  say  but  to  present  you 

my  best  regards;    remember  me  to  your  sister To 

Miss  Cunningham The   Miss  Armitages Miss 

Cooks I  hope  to  see  you  the  last  of  October,  when 

I  expect  to  be  in  Town Probably  you  can  make  it 

convenient  for  you  to  take  a  ramble  into  the  country  at 
that  time,  I  hope  to  be  at  leisure,  &  shall  be  proud  to 
attend  you M^  Blain  ;  who  favours  me  with  carry- 
ing  these  is  a  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  in   this 

'Peletiah  Webster  (1725-1795),  to  whom  this  letter  is  addressed,  during 
the  Revolution  became  noted  as  a  writer  on  questions  of  finance  and  currency, 
aiding  the  patriot  cause  with  both  pen  and  purse.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale 
in  1746,  and  becoming  engaged  in  business  in  Philadelphia,  succeeded  in 
acquiring  a  fortune.  Among  his  works,  his  Dissertation  on  the  Political 
Union  of  the  Thirteen  United  States  of  America  (Phil.  1783),  is  said  by 
Madison  to  have  influenced  the  public  mind  toward  a  better  form  of  government. 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  299 

Colony,  a  Merchant  of  Note,  I  shall  thank  3'ou  if  you 

will  take  some  notice  of  him, and  by  him,  as  he  is 

to  return   immediately    I    beg  you   write Tell   me 

how  matters  go  in  Town Tell  me  what  you  know 

of  the  Country Tell  me  much  about  the  Sex  you 

love Remember    to    ask    M^    Blain    the    hour    he 

returns,  and  don't  fail  to  send  me  a  line 
I  am,  Sir, 

with  great  regard. 
Yours, 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 
To  PalatiaJi  Webster. 

[To  Nathaniel  Donnald,   Jr.'] 

NoMiNi  Hall,  Aug^  21^^  i774- 
Sir. 

I  wrote  3'ou  a  line  in  great  haste,  just  before  I  left 
home,  and  two  days  before  that  I  had  the  pleasure  of 

your  company  with  ladies  in  an  evening  excursion 

We  have  here  no  artificial  gardens;  Nor  can  we  select 
out  a  company  of  sociable  equals  whenever  we  are  in  a 
humour  for  a  walk 

Here  we  either  strain  on  Horse  back  from  home  to 
Church,  or  from  house  to  House  if  we  go  out  at  all 

Or   we   walk  alone   into   a  dark  Meadow,    or  tall 

wood But  I  love  solitude,  and  these  lonely  recesses 

suit  exactly  the  feeling  of  m}^  mind 1  recived  lately 

a  letter  from  Cohansie,  in  which  I  am  informed  of  the 

'  The  following  is  taken  from  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  of  September  7, 
1774.  The  "  Captain  Nathaniel  Donnell  "  referred  to  is  no  doubt  a  relative  of 
the  "  Nath'l  Donnald  Jun'r"  mentioned  above. 

"  On  Wednesday,  31st  ult.  departed  this  life  .  .  .  Mrs.  Anna  Donnell,  the 
beloved  and  affectionate  wife  of  Captain  Nathaniel  Donnell,  of  this  City  " 
(Philadelphia). 


300  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

Death  of  Uncle  Sccley The  family  and  neighbour- 
hood will  have  suffered  a  great  loss! 1  suppose  you 

join  in  the  general  language,  and  assert  your  liberties 
and  oppose  oppression.  I  hope  at  least  you  are  on  the 
right  side  of  the  question.  The  City,  I  dare  say,  is  in 
great  tumult  it  not  in  consternation.  I  wish  it  was  con- 
venient for  me  to  be  in  town  when  the  gentlemen  from 
the  respective  Colonies  shall  meet  in  general  Congress 

This  is  out  of  my  power,  but  I  can  wish  for  their 

union,  and  usefulness.  M^  Blain,  the  gentleman  who 
forwards  my  letter,  is  a  Merchant  of  Note,  in  this 
Colony,  you  will  oblige  me  if  you  take  notice  of  him 

while  he  is  in  Town. You  will  not  fail  to  write  me 

a  line,  and  give  to  M^  Blain  the  moment  you  receive 
mine,  least  he  leave  town  and  I  be  disappointed. 
My  compliments  to  all  friends, 
from  Sir, 

Yours 

P.   V.    FiTHIAN. 

M^  Nath!  Donnald,  JunT 

[To  John  McCalla,   Jr.] 

NoMiNi  Hall  Virginia,  Aug^  22^  i774- 
Sir. 

Since  I  left  you  I  have  not  heard  a  syllable  about 
you,  whether  the  ague  had  left  you,  whether  you  have 
left  the  City  removed  to  Alexandria,  as  you  proposed 
in  the  spring,  in  short  both  yourself  and  fame  have 
been,  as  to  you,  wholly  silent 

I  have  now  an  oppertunity  which  1  gladly  improve 
of  sending  you  a  line,  and  I  beg  that  by  the  same  con- 
veyance you  will   send  me   an  Answer There  are 

many  from  this  Colony  to  attend  the  general  Congress, 


1774]  JOURNAL  AND  LETTERS  3OI 

seven  by  appointment/  the  others  out  of  curiosity, 
by  M^  Blaiii,  a  gentleman  of  my  acquaintance  in  this 
Colon3^  a  Merchant  of  Note  1  forward  this;  you  will 
oblige  me  if  you  use  him  with  civility. 

I  cannot  write  home  at  present;  if  you  should 
write  soon  to  Cohansie,  please  to  mention  to  whoever 
you  write  to  that  I  am  in  good  health  ;  that  the  neigh- 
bourhood is  in  good  health;  and  that  I  propose  to 
return  home  about  the  latter  end  of  October 

I  can  transmit  nothing  now  concerning  public 
affairs,    you    will   know    by    the    gentlemen    from    this 

province  that  the  reigning  spirit  is  liberty I  hope 

M^  &  M":^  Hollingshead  keep  clear  of  the  fevers  this 
fall;  but  I  fear  they  will  suffer  in  that  common  calamity. 
I  think  they  ought  to  remove  to  the  City  for  a  few 
weeks  in  September  when  the  disorder  rages  where  they 

reside My   best   compliments  attend    your  family, 

and  to  Miss  Pratt,  Miss  Boyd  and  others  of  my  acquaint- 
ance in  town  as  shall  be  convenient. 

I  am.  Sir,  with  great  truth 

and  Regard  your  most  obedient 
Most  humble  Serv^ 

P.    V.    FiTHIAN. 
M^  John  M^Calla,  Jun^ 

I  shall  thank  you  if  you  will  send  me  the  latest 
Journal,  Gazette,  and  the  Packet. 

[To  Harry  Willis  and  Robert  Carter,  Jr.] 

NoMiNi  Hall  Oct!:  6'.^  1774. 
For  Masters  Harry  &  Bob. 

I  approve  highly  of  the  method  you  have  taken  in 

'  The  seven  Virginia  delegates  were,  Peyton  Randolph,  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  George  Washington,  Patrick  Henry,  Richard  Bland,  Benjamin  Harrison, 
and  Edmund  Pendleton. 


302  PHILIP  VICKERS  FITHIAN  [1774 

asking  for  liberty  to  attend  the  race  this  afternoon,  and 
think  myself  bound  to  give  you  an  answer  in  the  same 
manner. 

This  Race,  happening  so  soon  after  the  other, 
which  was  at  the  same  place,  and  so  much  like  it  seems 
to  promise  nothing  that  can  require  your  attendance,  it 
is  therefore  my  desire  and  advice  that  you  stay  con- 
tented at  home.  But  if  your  inclination  be  stronger 
than  either  of  these,  and  you  still  choose  to  go,  you 
have  my  consent  provided  you  return  by  Sunset  in  the 
Evening. 

Yours 

Philip  V.  Fithian. 


INDEX 


INDEX 


Italics  refer  to  notes. 


Achan's  Tavern,  Del.,  47. 

Adams,  John,  Life  and  Works  of  ,  jo  ; 

Visits  Princeton,  jo. 
Aiken,  161. 

Airwell,  Hanover  County,  Va.,  201. 
Alexandria,  Va.,  48,  124,  153. 
Allen,  Moses,  35. 
American  Historical  Review,  £o,  ji, 

jj,  6j,  66,  J2,  82,  g6, 107,  118,  128, 

148,  171, 
American  Philosophical  Society,  113. 
American  Whig  Society  (of  Princeton 

College),  13;   Sketch  of ,  ij ;  14. 
Anabaptists.     See  Baptists. 
Annapolis,  Md.,  xviii,  100,  124,  151, 

153,     i6g,     177,     Burning    of    the 

"Peggy  Stewart"  at,  273. 
Anne,  Queen  of  England,  ji. 
Appleton's    Cyclopaedia    of  American 

Biography,  xx,  2JQ. 
Archibald,  Richard,  15. 
Armitage,  166. 
Armitage,  Betsy,  166,  298. 
Armitage,  Polly,  166,  298. 
Ashtoii,  Grace,  1^2. 
Ashton,  Henry,  ij2. 
Assemb  ly .  See  under  respective  States. 
Atwell,  208,  20q. 
Augusta  County,  Va.,  97. 

Baldwin,  Jonathan,  33;  Sketch  of, 

33- 

Balinger,  Capt.,  166. 

Ball,  224. 

Ball,  Spencer,  7/. 

Ballantine,  89,  94. 

Baltimore,  Md.,  48,  49,  90,  99,  128, 
138,  139,  273. 

Baptists,  xix,  growth  of  in  Va.,  117; 
118,  165. 

Barron,  James,  duel  with  Stephen  De- 
catur, 48. 

Bathurst,   Va.,  71. 

BaiUe- Abbey  Roll,  141. 


Beal,  209. 

Beatty,  Charles,  xv,  ^j. 

Beatty,  Charles  CHnton,  165,  Sketch 
of  i6s. 

Beatty,  Charles  Clinton^,  The  Beatty 
Family  Record,  xx. 

Beatty,  Elizabeth,  xiii,  xv.  Marriage 
(2d)  to  Joel  Fithian,  xv  ;  28,  32,  36, 
Marriage  to  Philip  Fithian,  j6 ; 
Referred  to  as  ^'  Laura,"  j6 ;  43, 
56,  61,  64,  67,  82,  89,  go,  97,  114, 
123,  132,  134,  139,  157,  160,  161, 
162,   163,  164,   i6j,   167,  172,   173, 

177,  184,  188,  194,  205,  216,  224, 
230,  238,  248,  269,  271,  277,  280. 

Beatty  Family  Record,  xx. 

Beatty,  John,  ij,  Letter  to  Philip 
Fithian,  27  ;  j6,  43,  90,  Sketch  of, 
go;  165,  167. 

Beatty,  Mary.  See  Green,  Mary 
Beatty. 

Beatty,  Reading,  157,  Sketch  of ,  rj7  ; 
164,  j6s. 

Beaty.     See  Beatty. 

Bedford,  Gunning,  g. 

Bedford,  Miss,  166. 

Belcher  Hall.     See  Nassau  Hall. 

Belcher,  Jonathan,  Governor  of  N.  J., 
6. 

Bellevue,  Stafford  Co.,  Va.,  g6. 

Benson,  Capt.,  222. 

Bere  Regis,  Dorset,  England,  141. 

Berkeley,  Charles  City  Co.,  Va.,  260. 

Berkeley,  Nelson,  201. 

Berkeley,  Robert,  71. 

Beverley,  Robert,  I4g. 

Bishops s  History  of  American  Manu- 
factures, 128. 

Blackwell,  Capt.,  122,  147,  178,  189. 

Bladensburg,  Md.,  37,  48,  48,  49. 

Blain,  58,  60,  66,  88,  92,  93,  104,  176, 

178,  238,  visits  Philadelphia,  239; 
his  impressions  of  the  city,  262  ; 
298,  299,  300,  301. 


3o6 


INDEX 


Bland,  Richard,  joo. 

Blandensburg.     See  Bladensburg. 

Blewer,  Capt.,  167. 

Booth,  83. 

Booth,  Billy,  62. 

Booth,  Miss,  no,  152. 

Bordentown,  N.J.,  7. 

Boston,  Mass.,  arrival  of  tea  ships  at, 
99;  destruction  of  tea,  105;  117, 
118,  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  171  ; 
ryi,  172,  reports  concerning  arrival 
of  British  troops  at,  175  ;  the  trial 
of  British  officers  and  troops  for 
homicide  removed  to  England,  181  ; 
202,  254,  rumor  that  Gage  has  fired 
on  the  town  received  in  Virginia, 
255  ;  report  false,  258  ;  280,  280, 
sympathy  of  the  Virginians,  281. 

Boston  Committee  of  Safety,  recom- 
mends 7ion  -  commercial  intercourse 
with  Great  Britain,  281. 

Boudinot,  Elias,  go. 

Bowen,  Dr.,  163. 

Boyd,  156. 

Boyd,  James,  274. 

Boyd,  Matty,  159,  160. 

Boyd,  Miss,  301. 

Boyd,  Mrs.,  159,  160,  161,  164. 

Boyd,  Sally,  159,  160,  166. 

Bracken,  John,  professor  at  William 
and  Mary  College,  107  ;  dispute 
with  Samuel  Henley,  107  ;  sketch 
of,  loj  ;  127. 

Brackenridge,  Hugh  H.,  g. 

Brewster,  Mrs.,  162,  163. 

Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  164,  216. 

Bridge-Town,  N.  J.     See  Bridgeton. 

British  America,  Constitutional  rights 
of,  260. 

Brockenbrough,  Miss.,  224. 

Brokenberry.     See  Brockenbrough. 

Brown,  159. 

Brown,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  xx. 

Brown,  Samuel,  15. 

Brown  University,  xxi. 

Bruton  Church,  Williamsburg,  Fa., 
loy. 

Bryan,  Andrew,  35,  jj,  90,  138. 

Buckner,  238. 

Bullock,  Polly,  155,  2JI. 

Bull  Run,  Va  ,  Councillor  Carter  owns 
lajid  in  the  vicinity  of,  xviii  ;  128. 

Burgesses,  Virginia  House  of.  See 
Virginia  Assembly, 

Burnet,  M.,  xiv. 


Burnet,  Priscilla,  wife  of  William 
Fithian,  xiv  ;  xv. 

Burney,  240. 

Burney,  Charles,  Present  State  of 
Muisc  in  Germany,  219  ;  2iq. 

Burr,  Aaron,  xiii,  graduates  from 
Princeton  College  with  Philip  Fith- 
ian, q  ;  a  founder  of  the  Cliosophic 
Society,  ij. 

Bushfield,  Westmoreland  County, Va., 
ho7ne  of  Jolin  Augustine  Washing- 
ton xvi  ;  y4,  88,  108,  109,  anecdote 
of  the  Bushfield  lane,  log ;  ijg, 
ijj,  201,  210,  269. 

Bushrod,  Hannah.  See  Washington, 
Hannah  (Bushrod). 

Bushrod,  John,  Ijg,  2jo. 

Bushtown,  Md.,  47. 

Calmet's  Scripture  Prints,  133. 

Cambridge  University,  England,  279. 

Camel.     See  Campbell. 

Cameron,  Henry  Clay,  History  of  the 
American  Whig  Society,  ij. 

Campbell,  109,  122,  123. 

Campbell,  Charles,  History  of  Vir- 
ginia, 248. 

Campbell,  Pinkstone,  123,  135. 

Caroline,  Queen  of  England,  and 
Stratford  mansion  in  Va.,  87. 

Caroline  County,  Va.,  I4g,  i8j,  2^0. 

Carr,  88. 

Carter,  Amelia  (daughter  of  Coun- 
cillor Carter'),  yo. 

Carter,  Ann  (of  Shirley),  95. 

Carter,  Ann  Tasker  (daughter  of  Coun- 
cillor Carter),  47,  begins  school 
with  Philip  Fithian,  50  ;  her  studies, 
50 ;  attends  dancing  school,  54 ; 
56,  57,  66,  69,  marries  (/st)  John 
Peck,  yi ;  marries  (2d)  Quinlan, 
ji ;  72,  75,  76,  78,  character  and 
attainments,  85  ;  86,  87,  89,  92,  94, 
98,  99,  100,  102,  103,  104,  105,  106, 
107,  108,  115,  120,  121,  127,  137, 
142,  171,  173,  175,  179,  182,  185, 
188,  189,  195,  207,  211,  215,  225, 
227,  243,  251,   253,   264,   269. 

Carter,  Benjamin  Tasker  (son  of 
Councillor  Carter),  49,  commences 
school  under  Philip  Fithian,  50  ;  his 
studies,  50;  51,  58,  67.  68,  70,  71, 
72,  75,  76,  77,  82,  character  and 
disposition,  84  ;  86,  91,  93,  97,  99, 
100,  102,  103,   104,   107,   108,   109^ 


INDEX 


307 


no,  III,  n2,  113.  114,  115,  117, 
iig,  120,  121,  obstinacy  and  ava- 
rice, 125  ;   130    132,  135,  137,   140, 

141,  143,  146,  147,  150,  151,  ac- 
companies Fithian  to  Annapolis, 
152;  170,  171,  173,  174,   177,   178, 

181,  182,  183,   i86,   187,   18S,   191, 

194,  195,  796,  197,  199.  200,  203, 
207,  208,  20g,  213,  215,  218,  223, 
224,  227,  22g,  232,  233,  234,  235, 
239,  240,  243,  245,  246,  248,  250, 
251,  252,  253,  254,  255,  258,  262, 
264,  265,  269,  278,  279,  283. 

Carter,  Betsy  Landon  (daughter  of 
Councillor  Carter),  begins  school 
with  Philip  Fithian,  50 ;  studies, 
50  ;  married  Spencer  Bali,  7/  /  72, 
75,  82,  character  and  disposition, 
85  ;    87,    88,   122,    170,    171,    196, 

195,  199,  243,  251,  264,  269. 

Carter,  Charles  {of  Shirley),  gj,  324. 

Carter,  Elizabeth  Wormeley  (daugh- 
ter of  Landon  Carter  of  Sabine 
Hall),  201,  married  ATelson  Berke- 
ley, 201 ;  226,  227. 

Carter  Family  Chart,  edited  by  R.  R. 
Carter,  xx,  70,  7/. 

Carter,  Frances  (daughter  of  Coun- 
cillor Carter),  begins  school  with 
Philip  Fithian,  50  ;  her  studies,  50  ; 
marries  Thomas  Jones  of  Bathurst, 
ji ;  11,  75,  character  and  disposi- 
tion, 85  ;  87,  85,  105,  107,  122,  127, 

142,  170,  171,  175,  195,  196,  200, 
211,  212,  213,  217,  228,  229,  230, 

239,  243,  251,  257,  264,  269. 
Carter,  Frances  Ann  Tasker   (wife  of 

Councillor  Carter),  marriage  to  Rob- 
ert Carter,  xviii ;  53,  56,  61,  62, 
63>  65,  67,  70,  list  of  the  children 
of,  7T ;  72,  73.  74-  75,  77,  7S,  79. 
82,  character  and  attainments,  83  ; 
87,  90,  92,  94,  95,  g6,  97,  100,  loi, 
religious  views,  102  ;  a  daughter  of 
the  Hon.  Benjamin  Tasker,  loz  ; 
103,  104,  105,  107,  109,  no.  III, 
112,  113,  115,  llS,  120,  121,  126, 
129,  133,  134,    135,    138,    141,    142, 

143,  opinions  concerning  slavery, 
145  ;  147,  150,  151,  170,  171,  172, 
173.  175.  177.   178,   179,   180,   181. 

182,  183,  186,  188,  190,  194,  195, 
198,  199,  203,  204,  207,  208,  211, 
214,  217,  225,   227,  229,   236,   238, 

240,  241,  242,   245,  246,  247,   248, 


invoice  of  silver  plate  imported  from 
England,  251  ;  253,  254,  257,  258, 
260,  263,  264,  265,  267,  268,  Fith- 
ian's  high  opinion  of,  270  ;  278, 
288. 

Carter,  George,  of  Oatlands  {son  of 
Councillor  Carter),  ji. 

Carter,  Harriet  (daughter  of  Coun- 
cillor Carter),  begins  school  with 
Philip  Fithian,  her  studies,  50  ; 
married  John  Maund,  7/  ;  72,  77, 
character  and  disposition,  85  ;  91, 
132,  134,  171,  178,  197,  198,  203 
212,  257,  264,  269. 

Carter,  John  {son  of  Councillor  Car- 
ter),  JI. 

Carter,  John  Champe,  224. 

Carter,  Julia  {daughter  of  Councillor 
Carter) ,  7/. 

Carter,  Landon  (of  Sabine  Hall),  mar- 
ried Catharine  Tayloe,  I4g ;  200, 
201,  226,  builder  of  Sabine  Hall, 
2JJ  ;  entertains  at  Sabine  Hall,  233. 

Carter,  Lucy  (daughter  of  Landon  Car- 
ter) ,  200  ;  married  Williani  Cols- 
ton, 200  ;  201. 

Carter,  Mary  {daughter  of  Councillor 
Carter) ,  jo. 

Carter,  Polly  (daughter  of  Landon 
Carter),  visits  Nomini  Hall,  226. 

Carter,  Priscilla  (daughter  of  Coun- 
cillor Carter),  laegins  school  with 
Fithian,  her  studies,  50  ;  51,  52, 
53,  56,  66,  69,  married  Robert 
Mitchell,  JI ;  72,  74,  75,  76,  77, 
78,  79,  82,  disposition  and  attain- 
ments, 84  ;  87,  88,  89,  92,  93,  94, 
97,  98,  100,  102,  103,  104,  105, 
106,  107,  108,   no,   112,   120,   121, 

127.  133.  134,  142,  146,  171.  I75> 
179,  182,  188,  198,  199,  200,  201, 
203,  213,  215,  227,  229,  234,  243, 
251,  253,  264,  269,  270. 

Carter,  Rebecca  {daughter  of  Council- 
lor Carter),  jo. 

Carter,    Robert,^    The    "King,"   xvii, 

lOI. 

Carter,  Robert,''  of  Nomini  (father  of 
the  Councillor),  builder  of  Nomini 
Hall,  xvii  ;  grave  at  Nomini  Hall, 
loi  ;  joi. 

Carter,  Robert,'  "The  Councillor," 
xiv,  XV,  xvi,  sketch  of,  xvii-xx  ; 
the  Nomini  Hall  estate,  xvii  ;  xix, 
XX,  applies  to  Dr.  Witherspoon  for 


$p» 


INDEX 


a  tutor,  35  ;  jj,  ^7,  Fithian  arrives 
at  home  of,  49 ;  4<p,  50,  50,  returns 
from  Williamsburg,  52  ;  53,  55,  57, 
an  accomplished  musician,  58  ;  col- 
lection of  musical  instruments,  59  ; 
description  of  the  harmonica,  ^g ; 
60,  61,  63,  64,  65,  fellow-member 
with  Philip  Ludwell  Lee  in  the 
governor's  council,  65  /  66,  67,  68, 
69,  70,  list  of  the  children  of  Robert 
and  Frances  A.  T.  Carter  jo-yi ; 
13<  74.  75.  76,  invention  for  tuning 
harpsichord,  77  ;  78,  79,  82,  Fith- 
ian's  high  opinion  of  his  character 
and  attainments,  83  ;  84,  86,  87, 
88,  90,  91,  92,  93,  94,  95,  97,  98, 
100,  disapproves  of  public  burying 
grounds,  loi  ;  103,  to  manufacture 
30,000  bushels  of  wheat  in  his  new 
mill,  104;  105,  106,  109,  no.  III, 
112,  113,  114,  opinion  concerning 
poetry,  115  ;  118,  119,  120,  121, 
124,  124,  127,  I2J,  large  estate, 
possessions  in  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land, 128  ;  description  of  the  Nom- 
ini  Hall  mansion,  129  ;  the  granary 
and  mill,  131  ;  132,  133,  would 
leave  his  fortune  to  the  most  capa- 
ble of  his  sons  in  business,  134,  135, 
136,  137,  liquor  distilled  from  per- 
simmons, 138  ;  the  dance  at  Nomini 
Hall,  139 ;  140,  plans  with  other 
gentlemen  to  establish  a  town  at 
Horn  Point,  Va.,  141  ;  142,  143, 
145,  emancipated  many  oj  his  slaves, 
14s ;  letter  to  Dr.  Witherspoon  ap- 
proving Fithian's  method  of  teach- 
ing, 147  ;  14S,  travels  to  Williams- 
burg, 149;  160,  166,  170,  171,  172, 
refuses  to  allow  the  family  to  ob- 
serve the  fast,  to  be  kept  upon 
going  into  effect  of  the  Boston 
Port  Bill,  172  ;  173,  175,  sets  out 
for  Williamsburg,  176,  his  library, 
177;  number  of  volumes,  17J  ;  re- 
turns from  Williamsburg,  187,  189, 
190,  194,  igS,  199,  a  nephew  of 
Landon  Carter,  200  ;  205,  207,  208, 
209,  210,  211,  212,  213,  214,  215, 
216,  219,  220,  225,  228,  regularity 
of  his  life.  229  ;  member  of  the 
vestry  of  Cople  Parish,  230  ;  2jo, 
231,  232,  233,  235,  238,  239,  240, 
disposition  of  his  estate  in  the  event 
of  his  death,  241  ;  243,  246,  247, 


249,  2£o,  imports  a  new  coach  from 
London,  251  ;  252,  253,  254,  is  not 
pleased  with  Parson  Smith's  sen- 
timents of  slavery,  256  ;  259,  tea 
and  patriotism,  261  ;  262,  pays 
Fithian  ;^40  for  his  year's  services 
263  ;  265,  277,  scholarly  attain- 
ments, 278  ;  analysis  of  his  library, 
279  ;  280,  282,  288,  293. 
Carter,  Robert*  (son  of  Councillor 
Carter),  commences  school  under 
Fithian,  his  studies,  50 ;  54,  67, 
68,  7/,  72,  73,  75,  76,  disposition 
and  character,  84;  86,  87,  89,  91, 
92,  93,  94,  97,  103,  106,  107,  108, 
109,  no,  114,  115,  117,  118,  119, 
121,  124,  125,    126,   127,    130,  132, 

134.  137.  140.  170.  171.  173.  176, 
177,  178,  180,  181,  183,  185,  188, 
196,  197,  198,  200,  201,  206,  207, 
211,  213,  214,  215,  216,  217,  218, 
225,  226,  229,  230,  235,  236,  240, 
243,  246,  passion  for  horses,  253  ; 
262,  263,  264,  267,  letter  of  Philip 
Fithian,  to,  301,  302. 

Carter,  R.  R.  {^of  Shirley),  xx  ;  Ed. 
of  Carter  Family  Chart,  70. 

Carter,  Sally  (^daughter  of  Councillor 
Carter),  7/. 

Carter,  Sophia  [daughter  of  Council- 
lor Carter),  7/. 

Century  Dictionary,  62. 

Chantilly,  Westmoreland  County,  Vir- 
ginia, xvi,  xvii,  ST,  264,  264- 

Charles  County,  Md.,  1^2. 

Charlotte  Sophia,  Queen  of  England, 
99,  105,  190. 

Chatham,  Earl  of.  See  Pitt,  William. 

Cheeseman,  Mrs.,  165,   166. 

Chelton,  Captain,  49,  96. 

Chesapeake  Bay,  59,  120,   154. 

Chester  River,  Md.,  274. 

Chesterfield,  Lord,  Letters  to  his  Son, 
258. 

Chestertown,  Md.,  154. 

Chinn,  John,  7/. 

Christian,  Frank,  218. 

Christian,  Master,  269. 

Christian,  Mr.,  a  dancing-master,  49  ; 
62  ;  a  strict  disciplinarian,  63  ;  64, 
65,  89,  109,  139,  183,  184,  185,  186, 
236. 

Christian,  Mrs.,  236. 

Church  of  England,  xix,  //. 

Churchill,  Md.,  274. 


I 


INDEX 


309 


Churchill,  Winston,  Richard  Carvel, 
xvi. 

Cliosophiaa  Club.  See  CHosophic 
Society. 

CHosophic  Society  {of  Princeton  Col- 
lege^, organization  and  prominent 
founders,  ij  ;  Paper  contention 
with  Whig  Society,  13-15  ;  14. 

Coffee  House,  Annapolis,  Md.,  153, 
273. 

Cohansey,  N.  J.,  18,  20,  36,  60,  70, 
82,  91,  143,  154,  155,  156,  158,  164, 
166,  175,  216,  231,  235,  262,  269, 
280,  297,  299,  301. 

Cohansey  Creek,  .V.  jf.,  xv. 

Cohansey  Tea  Party,  xiv,  xv. 

Colchester,  Va.,  48,  49. 

Cole's  Point,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va., 
xix. 

College  of  Philadelphia,  2jg. 

Colston,   William,  aoo. 

Columbia  University,  qq. 

Concord,  N.  H.,  ji. 

Congress,  Continental,  229,  230,  235. 
239,  258,  259,  262,  265,  266,  269, 
298  ;  Virginia  delegates  of  IJ74, 
SOI. 

Cook,  21,  167. 

Cook,  Miss,  298. 

Cople  Parish,  Westmoreland  County, 
Va. ,  Thomas  Smith  rector  in  1774, 
JI,   74  ;  list  of  the  vestry  in   17JJ. 

Corbin,  149. 

Corbin,  Gawin  (of  Peckatone),  ij6. 

Corbin,  Gawin  (of  Yew  Spring),  185, 
notice  of,  i8j,  250. 

Corbin,  Jane,  52,  55,  notice  of  jj ; 
56,  60,  63,  66,  89,  no,  138,  139, 
146,  147,  148,  185,  i8j,  201,  250, 
256,  262,  263. 

Corbin,  Martha.  See  Turberville, 
Martha  Corbin. 

Corbin,  Richard  {of  Laneville) ,  I4q. 

Cormans,  N.  J.,  27, 

Cornstalk,  Indian  chief,  248. 

Corotoman,  Lancaster  Co.,  Va.,  xvii. 

Cox,  67,  182. 

Cox,  Fleet,  2jo. 

Cumberland  County,  N.  J.,  xiv,  xv, 
80,  iij. 

Cumberland  Island,  Ga.,  qj. 

Cunningham,  52,  53,  58,  66,  92,  94, 
99,  121,  141,  143,  171,  202,  214. 

Cunningham,  Jack,  96. 

Cuaniagham,  Miss,  298. 


Daily  North  .\>»f,ric.\n,  iij. 

Davjkins,  Henry,  Ss'  Co.  [Publishers), 
158. 

Debow,  John,  35,  jj. 

Decatur,  Stephen,  duel  with  fames 
Barron,  48. 

Deerfield,  N.  J.,  /,  3,  36,  38,55, 
157.  159.  161,  163,  277,  280,  283, 
286. 

Delaware  Indians,  campaign  against 
in  1774,  248. 

Delaware  River,  47,  go,  282. 

Dennis,  Capt.,  171,  172. 

Dennis,  Sarah,  xv. 

Digges,  Edivard,  201. 

Digges,  Ignatius,  153,  ijj. 

Digges,  Mary,  ijj. 

Dobby,  Capt.,  182,  183,  218,  220, 
221,  222. 

Donaldson,  167, 

Donnald,  Nathaniel,  Jr.,  234  ;  letter 
of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  299  ;  2qg,  300. 

Donnell,  Mrs.  Anna  {wife  of  Na- 
thaniel Donnell),  299. 

Donnell,  Nathaniel,  2gq. 

Dorset,  England,  141. 

Duffield,  John,  238,  2j8. 

Dumfries,  Va.,  48,  95,  113,  128,  261. 

Dunlap,  John,  182,  182. 

Dunmore,  Countess  of,  arrives  at 
New  York,  104,  105,  127. 

Dunmore,  John  Murray,  Earl  of, 
threatened  incursion  upon  Carter  es- 
tate, in  1776,  xix  ;  99,  qq,  105  ;  dis- 
solves the  Virginia  Assembly,  171, 
///,  190 ;  orders  election  of  bur- 
gesses, 202  ;  expedition  against  the 
Indians,  248,  248,  260,  280. 

East  Hampton,  N.  Y.,  xiv. 

East  India  College,  Hertford,  Eng 
land,  107. 

Edinburgh,  Scotland,  70,  2j8. 

Edinburgh  University,  151. 

Edmundson,  Dolly,  223. 

Edwards,  Jonathan,  and  Princeton 
College,  2q. 

Edwards,  Miss,  201. 

Edwards,  Thomas,  257,  258. 

Elmer,  Jonathan,  created  a  member  of 
the  Am.  Philosophical  Society,  113; 
sketch  of,  1 1  J. 

Elmer,  Lucius  Q.  C,  Hist,  of  Cum- 
berland Co.  {N.  J.),  XX. 

Elsinborough,  N.  J.,   156. 


3IO 


INDEX 


England,  xiv,  xviii,   53,  54,  55,  171, 

233,  282. 
Essex  Co.,   Va.,  7^9. 
Evans,  Israel,  letter  to  Philip  Fithian, 

30  ;  sketch  of,  ji  ;   165. 
Ewing,  159,  167. 
Ewing,  Amy,  162,  163. 
Ewing,  James,  216. 

Fairfax,  Lord  Thomas,  xvH. 

Fairfield,  N.  J.,  2S6. 

Fantleroy.     See  Fauntleroy. 

Fauntleroy,  56,  62,  70,  104,  iii,  118, 
127,  139,  140. 

Fauntleroy,  Aphia,  201,  224. 

Fauntleroy,  Dr.,  79. 

Fauntleroy,  Harry,  54,  270,  271. 

Fauntleroy,  Mrs.,  118. 

Fauntleroy,  Samuel,  103. 

Fauntleroy,  William,  49,  55,  224. 

Fenning's  Arithmetic,  55. 

Ferguson,  Andrew,  166. 

Fibbs,  Capt.,  242. 

Field,  Mrs.,  39. 

Fisher,  53,  259. 

Fithian,  155,  156. 

Fithian,  Amos  (son  of  Joseph '  Fith- 
ian),  157,  161. 

Fithian,  Enoch '  {son  of  William ' 
Fithian),  xiv. 

Fithian,  Enoch''  (son  of  Joseph'  Fith- 
ian), transcribes  papers  of  Philip 
Fithian,  xv ;  an  invalid,  12. 

Fithian,  Enoch^  [^son  of  Joel  Fithian), 
inherits  Philip  Fithian' s papers,  xv. 

Fithian,  Esther ',  xv. 

Fithian,  Esther  ^,  xv. 

Fithian  family,  sketch  of,  xiv~xv. 

Fithian,  Hannah ',  xiv. 

Fithian,  Hannah  ^,  xv, 

Fithian,  Hannah  Vickers  (wife  of 
Joseph  Fithian),  marriage,  xv  ;  let- 
ter to  her  son,  Philip  Fithian,  at 
Princeton  College,  10  ;  letter  to 
P.  F.  concerning  his  soul's  welfare, 
II  ;  letter  of  P.  F.  to,  16;  death 
of,  21. 

Fithian,  Jeremiah  [son  of  Josiah ' 
Fithian),  xv. 

Fithian,  Joel,  marries  Elizabeth, 
widow  of  Philip  Fithian,  xv. 

Fithian,  John  ^  [son  of  Samuel '  Fith- 
ian), XV. 

Fithian,  John  '  (son  of  Josiah '  Fith- 
ian), XV. 


Fithian,  Joseph  '  (son  of  Josiah'  Fith- 
ian), marriage  to  Hannah  Vickers, 
XV ;  letter  from  his  son,  Philip 
Fithian,  asking  to  be  sent  to  school, 
I  ;  letter  of  P.  F.  to,  gratitude  for 
his  schooling,  3  ;  letter  from  P.  F. 
at  Princeton  College,  to,  describing 
some  of  the  customs  of  that  place, 
6;  12,  letter  from  P.  F.  to,  18; 
death  of.  21  ;  21. 

Fithian,  Joseph^  {son  of  Joel  Fithian), 

XV. 

Fithian,  Josiah^  {son  of  Samuel^ 
Fithian),  xv. 

Fithian,  Josiah'^  (son  of  Josiah  '  Fith- 
ian), XV. 

Fithian,  Margaret  {wife  of  William 
Fithian),  xiv. 

Fithian,  Martha,  xiv. 

Fithian,  Mary  C,  sketch  of  Fithian 
family,  xiv  ;  .vx. 

Fithian,  Mathias  {son  of  Samuel^ 
Fithian),  xv. 

Fithian,  Philip  Vickers  (son  of  Joseph ' 
Fithian),  sketch  of,  xiii ;  account 
of  his  journals  and  papers,  xiii— 
XV  ;  sketch  of  his  ancestry  and  life, 
by  Mary  C.  Fithian,  xiv,  xv  ;  im- 
pressions of  the  life  and  customs  of 
Virginia  contained  in  his  journal, 
XV,  xvi  ;  xviii,  letter  to  his  father, 
asking  that  he  may  be  sent  to 
school,  I  ;  /,  letter  to  his  father, 
expressing  gratitude  for  his  school- 
ing, 3  ;  letter  to  his  father,  describ- 
ing the  manners  and  customs  of 
Princeton  College,  6  ;  letter  from  his 
mother,  Hannah  Fithian,  admon- 
ishing religion,  10  ;  letter  of  Han- 
nah Fithian,  to,  1 1  ;  fnember  of  the 
Whig  Society,  ij  ;  letter  of  John 
McCalla,  to,  15  ;  letter  to  his 
mother,  the  advantage  of  an  educa- 
tion, 16  ;  letter  to  his  father,  18  ; 
extract  from  an  oration  on  Fash- 
ions ;  a  college  exercise,  19  ;  letter  of 
Andrew  Hunter,  Sr.,  to,  announc- 
ing death  of  his  parents,  20  -,20,  let- 
ter of  Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to,  reli- 
gious revivals  at  Princeton  College, 

21  ;  exercise  at  college  commence- 
ment of  1772,  on  Political  Jealousy, 

22  :  letter  of  John  Beatty,  to,  27  ; 
letter  of  Oliver  Reese,  to,  27  ;  let- 
ter of  Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to  28  ; 


INDEX 


311 


letter  of  Israel  Evans,  to,  Princeton 
College  and  turkey  stealing,  30  ; 
letter  of  Oliver  Reese,  to,  a  divinity 
student  and  the  ladies,  31  ;  letter  of 
William  Smith,  to,  Princeton  news, 
32  ;  letter  of  Andrew  Hunter,  Jr., 
to,  35  ;  letter  to  Andrew  Hunter, 
Jr.,  36  ;  letter  of  William  Smith  de- 
scribing improvements  at  Princeton, 
to,  38  ;  letter  to  Dr.  Witherspoon, 
the  dissatisfaction  of  his  relatives 
upon  his  going  to  Va.,  40  ;  letter 
of  Andrew  Hunter,  Jr.,  to,  41  ; 
letter  of  William  Smith,  to,  describ- 
ing the  college  commencement  of 
1773,  42  ;  leaves  Greenwich,  N.  J., 
for  Virginia,  47 ;  account  of  the 
journey,  47-49  ;  47,  arrival  at  Coun- 
cillor Carter's,  49  ;  commences  his 
school, his  scholars  and  their  studies, 
50 ;  jj,  first  impressions  of  Vir- 
ginia, 58  ;  daily  life  at  Nomini 
Hall,  60  ;  preference  for  Cohan- 
sey,  61  ;  bi,  describes  Mr.  Chris- 
tian's dancing  lessons,  63  ;  Christ- 
mas in  Va.,  71,  72  ;  appreciation  of 
the  Councillor  and  Mrs.  Carter,  and 
the  family  at  Nomini  Hall,  83  ;  Mrs. 
Carter,  83  ;  the  "Councillor,"  83  ; 
the  Nomini  household,  84,  85  ;  90, 
attends  the  ball  given  by  "  Squire  " 
Lee  at  Lee  Hall,  95  ;  meets  a  fel- 
low-student, Henry  Lee  (Light- 
Horse  Harry),  95  ;  account  of  the 
ball,  95,  96  ;  predicts  rapid  growth 
of  the  Colonies,  104  ;  "  Bushfield," 
home  of  J.  A.  Washington,  109  ; 
account  of  James  Waddell,  the 
blind  preacher,  118  ;  120,  122,  de- 
scription of  Nomini  Hall,  127-132  ; 
Hickory  Hill,  home  of  John  Tur- 
ben'ille,  141  ;  thinks  slaves  should 
be  sold,  145  ;  the  Councillor's  ap- 
proval of  his  method  of  teaching, 
147  ;  Mt.  Airy,  home  of  Col.  John 
Tayloe,  148  ;  visits  New  Jersey, 
152-167  ;  attends  meeting  of  Pres- 
bytery at  Philadelphia,  and  an  ac- 
count of  the  examination  of  candi- 
dates, 165  :  his  examination  before 
the  Presbytery,  166  ;  the  return  to 
Virginia  and  the  difficulties  of  the 
journey,  167-170  ;  love  of  solitude 
and  retirement,  174  ;  catalogue  of 
Councillor    Carter's    library,    177; 


191,  comments  on  the  new  London 
fashions,  192  ;  195,  ig6,  ig8,  199, 
205,  206,  207,  208,  211,  213,  visit 
to  Mt.  Airy,  220  ;  dissipation  and 
the  Virginia  fevers,  221  ;  entertain- 
ment aboard  the  "  Beaufort,"  221  ; 
the  ball  at  Hobbe's  Hole,  223,  224  ; 
regular  habits  a  safeguard  against 
disease,  229  ;  a  foreboding  of  his 
death,  232  ;  visits  Squire  Richard 
Lee  at  Lee  Hall,  234  ;  an  evening 
at  Hickory  Hill — the  company  and 
conversation,  236  ;  the  practice  of 
fighting  and  the  trivial  causes,  242, 
243  ;  reflects  on  his  life  at  Prince- 
ton College,  256  ;  is  paid  for  his 
year's  service  as  tutor,  263  ;  false 
impression  concerning  intemperance 
and  impiety  in  Virginia.,  266  ;  visits 
Dr.  Thompson,  view  from  his  house, 
268,  269  :  peculiarities  of  disposi- 
tion, 268  ;  resigns  to  John  Peck, 
the  succeeding  tutor,  regrets  at  leav- 
ing, 270;  leaves  Nomini  Hall,  271  ; 
arrives  in  New  Jersey,  274  ;  letter 
to  Rev.  Enoch  Green,  277  ;  letter 
to  Rev.  Enoch  Green,  his  arrival  in 
Virginia,  and  an  account  of  the 
family  at  Nomini  Hall,  278  ;  2jq, 
letter  to  Andrew  Hunter,  Sr.,  sym- 
pathy with  Boston,  upon  the  closing 
of  that  port,  280  ;  letter  to  John 
Peck,  282  ;  letter  to  George  Fair- 
fax Lee,  283  ;  letter  to  John  Peck, 
his  successor  as  tutor  at  Nomini 
Hall,  a  g^ide  and  an  introduction 
to  the  difficulties  of  the  position, 
283  ;  warns  Peck  against  hasty  pre- 
judices, 296  ;  letter  to  Peletiah  Web- 
ster, 298  ;  letter  to  Nathaniel  Don- 
nald,  Jr.,  299  ;  letter  to  John  Mc- 
Calla,  Jr.,  300;  letter  to  Rob- 
ert Carter,  Jr.,  and  Harry  Willis, 
301. 

Fithian,  Rebecca,  ig. 

Fithian,  Snmtiel^  {son  of  IVilliam  ' 
Fithian),  xiv,  xv. 

Fithian,  Samuel^  {son  of  SamtieP 
Fithian, )  xv. 

Fithian,  Samuel'  (son  of  Josiah'  Fith- 
ian), XV,  176,  177. 

Fithian,  Sarah^,  xiv. 

Fithian,  Sarah',  xv. 

Fithian,  Seeley,  157. 

Fithian,  Tempy,  167. 


312 


INDEX 


Fithian,  Thomas  (son  of  Joseph '  Fith- 
ian),  12. 

Fithian,  William ',  xiv. 

Fithian,  William'^,  {soil  of  Samuel^ 
Fithian),  xv. 

Flood,  Dr.,  54,  148. 

Foate's  Sketches  in  Virginia,  118. 

Ford,  Miss,   224. 

Ford,  Mrs.,   108. 

Fort  Washington,  N.   Y.,  xiii,  i^y. 

Frankfort,  Pa,,  J4. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  ^g,  iij. 

Franklin,  William,  Gov.  of  N.  J.,  at- 
tends Princeton  College  commence- 
ment in  1773,  43  ;  4j. 

Franks,  Dr.,  76,  88,  no. 

Frederick,  Md.,  155. 

Frederick  County,  Va.,  manufacture 
of  gunpowder  in,  214 

Fredericksburg,  Va.,  65,  113,  266. 

Freneau,  Philip,  g. 

Gaa,  Gilbert,  39,  jg. 

Gage,  Thomas,    Governor  of   Mass., 

255- 
Galloway,  Nancy,  152. 
Garrot,  Miss,  225. 
Gaskins,  Elizabeth,  201,  201. 
Gaskins,   Thomas,  201. 
Gentleman's  Magazine,  114. 
George  III,   King   of    England,  xix, 

99,  105.  116,  igo,  204. 
Georgetown,  D.  C,  48. 
Georgetown,  Kent  County,  Md.,  154, 

155,  168. 
Georgia,  gj. 
Germany,  219. 

Gibbern.     See    Giberne,    Isaac    Wil- 
liam. 
Giberne,    Isaac  William,    50  ;   sketch 

of,jo;  56,  96,  112,  118,    172,  293. 
Giger,  J.  Musgrave,  History  of  the 

Cliosophic  Society,  ij. 
Glebe,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va.,  210, 

230. 
Glenn,   Thomas  Allen,    Some  Colonial 

Mansions,    xvii,   xix,  xx,  jg,    yi, 

128,   2JI. 

Gloucester,  N.  J.,  27. 
Glover,  22,  22,  30. 
Goodlet,  64,  103,  104. 
Gorden,  55. 
Graham,  Dr.,  250. 

Great  Britain,  28/ ;  Parliament  of, 
116,  171. 


Great  Meadows,  Va.,  xviii,  128. 

Green,  Ashbel,  2g. 

Green,  Enoch,  i,  29,  36,  55,  sketch 
"/'  SS'  80,  157,  159,  160,  216,  let- 
ter of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  277 ; 
letter  of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  278  ; 
283, 

Green,  Mary  Beatty  (wife  of  Enoch 
Green),  29,  36,  marriage,  _^j  ;  157, 
164,  277,  280. 

Greene,  Nathaniel,  g^. 

Greenman,  159. 

Greenman,  Thomas,  157. 

Greenwich,  N.  J.,  xiv,  Fithian  family 
of,  XV ;  tea-burning  at,  xv  ;  xx,  i, 
7,  ID,  II,  40,  41,  47,  4.7  ;  deaths  at 
in  winter  of  1774,  156;  159,  160, 
162,  164,  ig7,  280. 

Gregory,  in,  120,   126. 

Grigg,  Capt.,  60,  89,  122. 

Grigsby,  Hugh  Blair,  The  Virginia 
Convention  of  1776,  4.8. 

Grubb,  186,  189,  igo,  191,  227,  233, 
234,  236,  238. 

Guthrie,  Capt.,  204. 

Gwinn's  Falls,  Maryland,  128. 

Hageman,  John  F.,  Princeton  and 
its  Institutions,  xx,  jo,  jj,  J4,  jg. 

Hale,  Priscilla,  139,  183,  description 
of,  185  ;    236. 

Halifax,  N.  S.,  158. 

Halkinson,  Mrs.,  272. 

Hamilton,  58,  112,  259. 

Hammond,  Henry,  Exposition  of  the 
New  Testament,  173. 

Hannah,  Mrs.,  157. 

Hanover  County,  Va.,  201. 

Harlem  Heights,  battle  of,  xiii. 

Harrison,  112. 

Harrison,  Benjamin  (the  Signer),  260, 
260  ;  delegate  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, JOI. 

Harrison,  Col.  (of  Maryland),  98. 

Hasard,  13,  14,  18. 

Heard,  Nathaniel,  xiii,  7. 

Heith,  37. 

Henley,  Samuel,  dispute  with  John 
Bracken,  107  ;  sketch  of,  107 ;    127. 

Henry,  Patrick,  delegate  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  300. 

Henry,  Robert,  History  of  Great 
Britain,  249  ;  24g. 

Henry,  William  Wirt,  Lift  of  Patrick 
Henry,  381. 


INDEX 


313 


Hickorj'  Hill,  Westmoreland  County, 
Va.,  -x-vi,  home  of  John  Tnrberville, 
55  >■  79^  SJ^  '3t>>  '^5^  200. 

Hills,  David,  156. 

Hire.     See  Hyer,  Jacob. 

Hitchcock,  Mrs.  hdzuard  W.,xiii,  xv, 

XX. 

Hobbe's  Hole,  Va.,  72,  127,  149,  177. 

194,    21S,     220,    importance    as    a 

shipping  center,  221  ;  account  of  a 

ball  at,  223  ;  280. 
Hodge,  261. 

HoUingshead,  Miss,  166. 
Hollingshead,  Sally,  104. 
HoUingshead,  William,  xv,  160,  161, 

301. 
Hollingshead,  Mrs.  William,  301. 
Homer,  173. 
Horn  Point,  Va.,  122,  123,  124,  plan 

to  establish  a  town  at,  141. 
Home,  George,  Bishop  of   Norwich, 

144. 
Hoshel,  161,  164. 
Hoshel,  Michael,  47. 
Houston,  William  Churchill,  34,  sketch 

".f'  34- 
Howel,  163,  164,  167. 
Howel,  Dicky,  160. 
Hudibras   Inn,  Princeton,   N.  J.,  jo, 

39- 

Hunt,  153. 

Hunter,  Andrew,  Sr.,  7,  10;  letter  to 
Philip  Fithian,  20  ;  21,  80,  80,  93, 
156-  157.  158,  159.  162,  164,  165, 
175.  177.  216,  269,  280,  letter  of 
Philip  Fithian,  to,  280. 

Hunter,  Mrs.  Andrew,  164,  282. 

Hunter,  Andrew,  Jr.  (son  of  David 
Hunter),  a  member  of  the  Cohansey 
Tea  Party,  xv ;  enters  Princeton 
College  with  Philip  Fithian,  7  ; 
sketch  of,  J  ;  10,  II,  letter  to  Philip 
Fithian,  21  ;  letter  to  Philip  Fithian 
acquainting  him  with  the  opportu- 
nity of  going  to  Va.  as  tutor,  35  ; 
jj,  letter  of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  36 ; 
letter  to  Philip  Fithian,  41  ;  157, 
216,  282. 

Hunter,  David,  7. 

Hunter,  John,  2j8. 

Hunter,  IVilliam,  editor  of  ike  Virginia 
Gazette,  isy. 

Hunterdon  County,  N.  J.,  34.. 

Hut,  Mrs.,  103. 


Hutchinson,  Thomas  {Gov.  of  Mass.), 
burned  in  effigy  by  Princeton  stu- 
dents, 1^0 ;  i6j. 

Hyer,  Jacob,  30,  30,  31,  34,  39,  jg. 

Imlay,  William  Eugene,  41,  41. 
Indians,  expedition  against,  by  Gov. 

Dunmore  in  1774,  248  ;  248. 
Isle  of  Wight  County,  Va.,  191. 

James,  Damon,  274. 

James  River,  Va.,  233. 

Jameson,  J.  Franklin,  xiv,  xxi. 

Jennifer,  Thomas,  269. 

Jennings,  58,  141. 

Jones,  30. 

Jones,  Elizabeth,  i8j,  201. 

Jones,  Mary  Bathurst,  jgs. 

Jones,  Miss.,  138. 

Jones,  Roger,  jj. 

Jones,  Thomas,  104,  18^,  iqa. 

Jones,  Thomas  ap  Catesby,  jj. 

Jones,  Thomas  ap  Thotnas  \^of  Bath- 
urst'), 7/. 

Jones,  Walter,  70,  sketch  of ,  yo  ;  ill, 
112,  created  a  member  of  the  Am. 
Philosoph.  Society,  113  ;  182,  188, 
227. 

Jones,  Mrs.  Walter,  112. 

Joneses  Falls,  Maryland,  128. 

Junius'  Letters,  144,  145. 

Keimer,  Samuel,  //j. 
Keith,  165. 

Kent  Island,  Md.,  273. 
Kepple,  Patrick,  15. 
King,  Andrew,  22,  30. 
Kings    College,  N.  Y.,  confers   degree 
upon   Gov.  Tryon,  gg. 

Laidler,  Mrs.,  170,  271,  272. 

Lancaster  County,  Va.,  118. 

Lane,  135,  233,  234. 

Lane,  Joseph,  66,  121,  122,  123,  242, 

263. 
Lane,  Mrs.   Joseph,   95,   94,   95,   97, 

234- 
Lane,   Joseph   F.    (of  Loudon  Co.), 

1X2,  112,  113,   114,   117,   121,   133. 
Laneville,    Virginia,   seat   of  Richard 

Corbin,  i4g. 
Leake,  John,  157. 
Leake,  Nathan,  159. 
Leake,  Samuel,   Jr.,    150,    sketch   of 

1^0;  160,  /^f,  214,  264. 


314 


INDEX 


Lebanon  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
1 66. 

Lee,  xvi,  66,  93,  137,  237. 

Lee  (of  Augusta  Co.),  97. 

Lee  (son  of  Richard  Lee  of  Md.),  152. 

Lee,  Edmund  Jennings,  Lee  of  Vir- 
ginia, XX,  55,  87,  IS2,  igi. 

Lee,  Elizabeth  (daughter  of  George 
Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant),  191,  notice 
of,  igi ;  described  by  Fithian,  192, 
193  ;  201,  214,   228,   233,  236,  237. 

Lee,  Elizabeth  (daughter  of  John  Lee 
of  Essex  Co.),  66,  66,  described  by 
Fithian,  185  ;   i8s- 

Lee,  Elizabeth  Steptoe  (wife  Philip 
Ludwell  Lee),  63,  65. 

Lee,  Francis  Lightfoot,  98,  sketch  of, 
g8 ;  147,  married  Rebecca  Tayloe, 
i4g ;  visited  by  Fithian,  174  ;  265. 

Lee,  George  (son  of  Thos.  Ludwell 
Lee  of  Bellevue),  g6. 

Lee,  George  (of  Mt.  Pleasant),  ^j,jj, 
gj,  i8g,  igi,  member  of  Cople 
Parish  Vestry,  2jo. 

Lee,  George  Fairfax  (son  of  George 
Lee  of  Mt.  Pleasant),  jj,  55,  jj, 
56,56,  69,  96,  g6,  141,  186,  notice 
of,  i8g ;  191,  igr,  214,  215,  218, 
227,  236,  letter  of  Philip  Fithian, 
to,  283,  28j. 

Lee,  Hancock,  gS. 

Lee,  Henry  (of  Leesylvania),  95, 
sketch  of,  gj,  96. 

Lee,  Henry  ("  Light  Horse  Harry  "), 
student  at  Princeton  College,  xiii ; 
g,  ij,  43,  4j,  66,  attends  the  ball  at 
Lee  Hall,  95  ;  sketch  of,  gj  ;  visits 
Nomini  Hall,  103  ;  loj. 

Lee  Hall,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va., 
xvi,  82,  residence  of  "  Squire '' 
Richard  Lee,  go  ;  grand  ball  given 
at,  94-97  ;  loj,  no,  2J0,  269. 

Lee,  John  {of  Essex  Co.),  /8j. 

Lee,  John  (of  Orange  Co.),  98,  g8, 
105,  138- 

Lee,  Lancelot  (son  of  George  Lee  of 
Mt.  Pleasant),  53,  notice  of,  jj-  ; 
57,  189,  191,  marriage,  igi,  192, 
203,  214,  236,  258,  259. 

Lee,  Mary  Willis  {-wife  of  Hancock 
Lee),  g8. 

Lee,  Matilda,  66,  notice  of  66  ;  gS- 

Lee,  Miss,  186,  236. 

Lee,  Philip  {of  "Blenheim,"  Md.), 
152- 


Lee,  Philip  Ludwell,  65,  sketch  of, 
6s  ;  66,  87,  89,  gs,  139,  171,  185, 
207,  210. 

Lee,  Rebecca  Tayloe  (wife  of  Francis 
L.  Lee),  265. 

Lee,  Richard,  "Squire"  (of  Lee 
Hall),  82,  sketch  of,  82  ;  go,  gives 
a  ball  at  Lee  Hall,  94-97  ;  103, 
136.  137.  141.  181,  182,  i8g.  194, 
230,  2JO,  attends  the  Congress, 
234  ;  283. 

Lee,  Richard,  "Squire"  (of  Mary- 
land), 152,  sketch  of,  IJ2. 

Lee,  Richard  Henry,  xix,  48,  57, 
sketch  of,  S7  ;  gS,  g8,  201,  chosen 
delegate  to  Congress,  229  ;  23g, 
258,  264,  joo. 

Lee,  Robert  Edward,  gj. 

Lee,  Thomas  [of  Stratford),  48,  65, 
66,  87,  g8,  1 8s. 

Lee,  Thomas  Ludwell  (of  Bellevue), 
48,  sketch  of,  48 ;  49,  g6. 

Lee,   Thomas  Sim  (Gov.  of  Md.),  1S3. 

Leech,  261. 

Leeds,  Virginia,  104,  251,  261. 

Leek.     See  Leake. 

Leesylvania,  Prince  William  Co.,  Va., 
seat  of  Henry  Lee,  gs. 

Lewis,  Andrew,  defeats  Lndians  under 
Cornstalk  at  Point  Pleasant,  248. 

Lewis,  Betty,  71. 

Livingston,  Henry  Brockholst,  g,  30. 

Livingston,  William  (Gov.  of  H.  /.), 

33- 

Lloyd,  Edward  (Gov.  of  Md.),  14^. 

Lomax,  Thomas  (of  Caroline  Co."),  I4g. 

London,  England,  59,  60,  176,  181, 
189,  192,  272,  281. 

Long  Island,  28. 

Long  Lsland,  battle  of,  xiii. 

Longstreet,  Richard,  j6. 

Loudon  County,  Va.,  9c?,  113,  Bap- 
tists in,  117  ;  138,  174. 

Lowe,  142,  151,  166,  186,  187,  203, 
206,  218,  237,  238,  270. 

Lunenburg  Parish,  Richmond  Co., 
Va. ,  so. 

Lyon,  James,  158,  sketch  of,  is8. 

Lynn,  37. 

McCall,  Miss,  224. 

McCalla,  166. 

McCalla,  John,  letter  to  Philip  Fith- 
ian, 15  ;  27,  234,  letter  of  Philip 
Fithian,  to,  300. 


INDEX 


315 


McCorkle,  Samuel  Eusebius,  35,  35. 

McFarland,  ji . 

Machodoc  River,  Va.,  208,  descrip- 
tion of,  2og  ;  210. 

McKenzie,  2j8. 

Maclean,  John,  Hist,  of  the  College  of 
N.J.,  XX,  22,  2g,  42,  ijo. 

Madison,  Janus,  xiii,  g,  ij,  106,  2g8. 

Madison,  James  {bishop  of  Va.),  loy. 

Manning,  39. 

Marcus  Hook,  Pa.,  166. 

Marshall,  84,  198. 

Mary,  Queen  of  England,  lob. 

Maryland,  xvii,  xviii,  50,  5g,  61,  93, 
98,  102,  prevalence  of  diphtheria, 
105  ;  log,  iig,  currency,  121,  124, 
12S,  138.  143,  i4g,  152,  132,  133, 
156,  163,  168,  173,  igb,  22g,  230, 
231,  235,  271,  281. 

Maryland  Gazette,  xviii. 

Massachusetts,  xix,  281 . 

Mathews,  138. 

Mattox  Bridge,  Va.,  152,  271. 

Mattox  Church,  Va.,  152,  170. 

Maund,  John,  7/. 

Meade,  William  [bishop  of  Va.'),  Old 
Churches  and  Families  of  Va.,  xvi, 
xix,  XX,  5/,  87,  i4g,  230. 

Menokin,  Richmond  Co.,  Va.,  seat  of 
Francis  Lightfoot  Lee,  g8. 

Middlesex  Co.,  N.J.,34. 

Middlesex  Co.,   Va.,  i4g. 

Middleton,  122,  123. 

Middleton,  Benedict,  230. 

Middleton,  Robert,  230. 

Middleton,  Delaware,  168. 

Miller,  Squire,  156. 

Mills,  Mrs.,  156. 

Milton,  John,   126,  254. 

Mitchell,  Robert,  married  Priscilla 
Carter,  jj. 

Montcalm,  Louis  Joseph,  Marquis  de, 
113. 

Morgan,  69. 

Morgan,  John,  150,  sketch  of,  130. 

Morris,  Robert,  148. 

Mount  Airy,  Richmond  Co.,  Va.,  xvi, 
seat  of  John  Tayloe,  34  ;  g8,  124, 
described  by  Fithian,  148  ;  notice 
of,  148 ;  179,  201. 

Mounteer.     See  Mountier,  William. 

Mountier,  William,  39,  notice  of,  3g. 

Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va., 
xvii, 33, 33, 3b, 37,  96,  i8g,  jgi,283. 

Mundy's  Point,  Va.,  124. 


Munro,  268. 

Murray,  John.     See  Dunraore. 

Myrtle  Prison  Ship,  137. 

Nassau   Hall,  origin  of  the  name, 

(>  ;  33- 

Nassau  Hall  College.  See  Princeton 
College. 

Neal,  125. 

New  Castle,  Del.,  47. 

A^ew  Hampshire,  31,  Provincial  and 
State  Papers,  31. 

Newington,  Pa  ,  123,  188. 

New  Jersey,  xiii,  xiv,  xv,  xvi,  xx, 
7,  43,  61,  80,  climate  of,  compared 
with  Virginia,  loi  ;  113,  119,  133, 
147,  156,  175,  igi,  194,  ig6,  207, 
227,  235,  2O9,  274,  281,  manners 
and  customs  of  compared  with  Vir- 
ginia, 284,  285 ;  wealth  and  the 
division  of  property  in,  compared 
with  Virginia.  286  ;  287. 

New  Jersey  Assembly,  petition  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Princeton,  to,  3g ; 
286. 

Newton,  John.  230. 

Newton,   Willowby,  230. 

Newtown,  Md.,  168. 

New  York,  burning  of  the  residence 
of  Gov.  Tryon  by  patriots  of,  gg  ; 
arrival  of  tea  ships,  99  ;  gg.  Coun- 
tess of  Dunmore  arrives  at,  104  ;  204. 

Neiu  York  Assembly,  gg. 

Nomini  Church,  Westmoreland  Co., 
Va. ,  52,  advertisements  on  church 
door,  57  ;  59,  log,  2og,  214,  234. 

Nomini  Hall,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va., 
xvi,  xvii,  burned  in  1830,  xviii  ; 
xix,  the  home  of  Councillor  Carter, 
47  ;  Fithian  arrives  at,  4g  ;  yearly 
consumption  of  provisions  at,  121  ; 
described  by  Fithian,  127-132  ;  128, 
170,  201,  210,  212,  215,  262,  278, 
280,  282,  283,  2g8,  2g9,  300. 

Nomini  River,  VVestmoreland  Co., 
Va.,  59,  73,  log,  124,  128,  131, 
186,  20S,  description  of,  210;  215, 
2ig,  255,  26g. 

Norfolk,  Va.,  gi,  204,  210. 

North,  Frederick,  Earl  of  Guilford, 
burned  in  effigy  in  Richmond  Co., 
Va.,  181. 

Northern  Neck  of  Virginia,  xviii,  277. 

Northumberland  County,  Va.,  104, 
1/8,  183,  ig2,  201,  264. 


3i6 


INDEX 


Oakley,  Mrs.,  194,  197,  ig8,  199, 

201,  205,  207,  211. 
Oatlands,  Loudon  Co.,   Va.,  7/. 
Ogden,  Aaron,  g. 
Ohio  River,  settlements  on,  97. 
Old  Dominion.     See  Virginia. 
Oldham,  Samuel,  sjo. 
Orange  County,   Va.,  g8. 

Page,  Mann,  i4.g. 

Parker,   202. 

Parks,  Thomas,  197. 

Parliament.  See  Great  Britain,  Par- 
liament of. 

Patapsco  River,  48. 

Patterson,  162,  163. 

Patterson,  Richard,  34,  39,  jg. 

Patuxent  Ferry,  Md.,  273. 

Patuxent  River,  Md.,  153,  169. 

Panton,  Sally,  142,  143,  144,  146,  171, 
201,  236. 

Peck,  Benjamin,  162. 

Peck,  John,  xvi,  47,  sketch  of,  4J ; 
55,  married  Ann  Carter,  ji ;  agrees 
to  succeed  Fithian  at  Nomini  Hall, 
160;  163,  166,  177,  189,  211,  216, 
217,  230,  231,  234,  235,  264,  265, 
268,  arrives  at  JSIomini,  269  ;  270, 
letter  of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  282 ; 
28j,  letter  of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  the 
difficulties  of  a  private  tutor,  and 
the  customs  of  Virginia  and  New 
Jersey  compared,  283-298. 

Peck,  Mrs.,  27,  157,  163,  164,  265, 
280. 

Peck,  Rachel,  156. 

Peckatone,  Westmoreland  County,  Va., 
xvi,  ij6,  seat  of  George  Turber- 
ville,  1^2. 

"Peggy  Stewart,"  tea-ship,  burned  at 
Annapolis,  2JJ. 

Pelham,  Peter,  chief  musician  of 
Williamsburg,  Va.,  jg. 

Pendleton,  Edmund,  delegate  to  the 
Continental  Congress,  joi. 

Pennsylvania,  133,  currency  of,  216; 
281. 

Pennsylvania  Gazette,  xx,  113,  sketch 

"/>  ^^3 ;  ^n^  ^39'  ^99,  301. 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  xxi  ; 

MSS.  genealogy  of  Carter  family, 

property  of,  yo,  7/. 
Pennsylvania  Packet,    182,  sketch  of, 

182  ;  301. 
Penn's-Neck  Ferry,  N.  J.,  47. 


Petapsko.     See  Patapsco  River. 

Pettit,  Lydia,  201,  238. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  xiii,  xx,  15,  21,  27, 
42,  43,591  9I1  arrival  of  tea-ships, 
99;  Jij,  114,  121,  122,  124,  125, 
137,  146,  148,  150,  /JO,  152,  155, 
164,  165,  186,  204,  229,  230,  234, 
238,  2jg,  258,  a  Virginian's  opinion 
of  the  city,  in  1774,  260  ;  262,  279, 
280,  282,  286,  2g8,  2gg. 

Philadelphia,  Presbytery  of,  xv,  37. 

Pictet,  Benedict,  Theologia  Christi- 
ana, 50,  and  frequently. 

Pierce,  Miss,  109,  263. 

Pinckard,  Mrs.  Anne  Gas  kins,  mar- 
ries, 2d. ,  Richard  Henry  Lee,  201. 

Piscataway,  Md.,  152,  described,  153  ; 
169,  272. 

Piscatua.     See  Piscataway. 

Pitt,  William,  Earl  of  Chatham,  144. 

Plain  Dealing  Club,  of  Princeton  Col- 
lege, suppressed,  ij. 

Plater,  George  {Governor  of  Mary- 
land), 124. 

Plater,  Rebecca.  See  Tayloe,  Rebecca 
Plater. 

Poijit  Pleasant  {Va.),  battle  of,  248. 

Polk,  James  K. ,  22j. 

Poor,  Enoch,  ji . 

Pope's  Homer,  173. 

Port  Penn,  Del.,  155,  156,  167,  168, 
274. 

Port  Tobacco,  Md.,  152,  169,  170, 
269,  272. 

Potomac  River,  51,  56,  59,  60,  73, 
7^,  91,  93,  109,  //j>,  122,  124,  128, 
141,  143,  170,  174,  208,  209,  210, 
231,  233,  269,  272. 

Potter,  39,  157,  161. 

Pratt,  Debby,  160,  161,  166,  167,  301. 

P)ince  George  County,  Md.,  ijj. 

Princeton,  N.  J.,  xxi,  6,  18,  28,  31, 
JI,  jj,  news  items  of  the  town, 
34  !  34t  3(>>  changes  and  improve- 
ments, in  1773,  39;  British  troops 
quartered  at,  jg ;  petition  to  the 
Assembly,  jg  ;  4j,  70,  91,  93,  1 12, 
113,  194,  231,  269,  272. 

Princeton  College  (Nassau  Hall),  xiii, 
xiv,  I,  known  as  Nassau  Hall,  6; 
Fithian's  account  of  the  life,  man- 
ners, and  customs  of,  7-10  ;  number 
of  students  in  1 770,  9  ;  }toted  men 
who  were  at  college  with  Fithian,  g  ; 
10,   13,   literary  sociUies,   ij ;  stu- 


INDEX 


317 


dents  from  many  provinces  and 
countries,  16 ;  expulsion  of  stu- 
dents, 18  ;  21,21,  religious  revivals 
at,  22  ;  22,  28,  2S,  2g,  turkey  steal- 
ing, 30  ;  j-o.  jr^  33.  JJ",  34^  35^ 
growth  in  1773,  36  ;  the  new  stew- 
ard, 39  ;  41,  tiiKi  of  commencement 
changed  to  June,  42  ;  account  of  the 
commencement   of    1773,    42,    43  ; 

47y    SS'    <?0,    95.    <?J,    103,     tI2,    I7J, 

122,  Gov.  Hutchinson  hur)ied  in 
effi-gy  by  the  students,  r^o  ;  ijS,  165, 
tea-burning  on  the  front  campus  by 
the  students,  l6j ;  216,  230,  2jS, 
hazing  in,  1772,  and  other  diver- 
sions, 256,  257  ;  261,  269,  279, 
value  of  an  education,  287  ;  290. 

Princeton  College,  Board  of  Trustees, 
7,  minutes  of,  ijo. 

Princeton  Council  of  Safety,  fines 
Jonathan  Baldwin  for  violation  of 
the  act  of  7777,  jj  ;  34. 

Princeton  University  Library,  xiii, 
xxi. 

Prince  William  County,  Va.,  g^. 

Purchase,  Capt.,  222,  225. 

Quebec,  Canada,  //j,  116. 
Queen  Anne  County,  Md.,  173. 
Queenstown,  Queen  Anne  Co.,  Md., 

273. 
Quintan,  ji. 
Quinton's  Bridge,  N.  J.,  47. 

Racing  and  racehorses,  race  be- 
tween John  Tayloe's  "  Yorick"  and 
Dr.  Flood's  "Gift,"  54;  148,  168, 
247,  266. 

Ramsey,  James,  157. 

Ramsey,  John,  157. 

Ramsey,  Mrs.,  159. 

Randolph,  clerk  at  Nomini  Hall,  73  ; 
91,  93,  102,  107,  119,  120,  121,  126, 
130,  144,  172,  178,  197,  217,  220, 
225,  229,  235,  240,  2^0. 

Randolph,  Peyton,  xix,  delegate  to  the 
Continental  Congress,  joo. 

Ranney,  Stephen,  157,  164. 

Rappahannock  River,  Va.,  65,  72, 
104,  148,  149,  212,  218,  221,  250. 

Reed,  Coley,  250. 

Reese,  Oliver,  letter  to  Philip  Fithian, 
27 ;  sketch  of,  28 ;  letter  to  Philip 
Fithian,  31  ;   35,  j>j,  122,  122. 

Reeve,  Mrs.,  269,  274. 


Reeve,  Stephen,  168. 

Reynolds,  Joshua,  Cottncillor  Carter's 

portrait  painted  by,  xviii. 
Richards,  John,  15. 
Richmond,  Va.,  113. 
Richmond  County,  Va.,  xx,  47,  49, 

70,    70,    gS,   III,    14S,    i4g.    Lord 

North  burned  in  effigy  by  people  of , 

181  ;  election  of  Burgesses  in,  206 ; 

224,  126,  226,  2JJ,  234,  270,  283. 
Richmond  County  Church,  Va.,   112, 

124. 
Richmond    County  C.   H.,   Va.,    53, 

court  held  at  monthly,  82  ;   120,  143, 

175,  219,  263. 
Richmond  County  Upper  Church,  Va. , 

56. 
Richmond  Enquirer,  22j. 
Riddell,  Ann,  7. 
Rind.   William,  I2J. 
Ritchie,    Archibald,    223,    notice    of, 

223;  224. 
Ritchie,  Miss,  223,  224. 
Ritchie,   Thomas.  223. 
Ritter,     FrM^ric     Louis,     Music    in 

America,  ij8. 
Rodman,  271. 

Rock  Hall,  Md.,  153,  154,  168. 
Rocky  Hill,  N.  J.,  27,  31. 
Rosegill,  Middlesex  Co.,   Va.,  igi. 
Round    Hill    Church,    King    George 

County,  Va.,  152. 
Ryley,  Miss,  155. 
Ryley,  Mrs.  Rachel  Stockton,  155. 

Sabine  Hall,  Richmond  County,  Va. , 
i4g,  200,   home  of  Landon   Carter, 

200;    201,    226,    233,   2JJ. 

Sanford,  91. 

Sanford,  Miss,  109. 

Scotland,    merchants,    schoolmasters, 

and  tutors,  in  Virginia,   from,   58  ; 

/50,  187. 
Scott,  Capt.,  124. 
Seeley,  159. 

Seeley,  Ephraim,  Jr.,  159. 
Selim,  the  Algerine,  xix. 
Shawnee  Indians,  campaign  against  in 

1774,  248. 
Shippen,  William,  Jr.,  238,  sketch  of, 

238. 
Shirley,    Charles    City    County,     Va., 

XX,  70,  gj,  224. 
Simpson,  138,  190. 
Simpson,  John,  135. 


3i8 


INDEX 


Simpson,  Miss,  57, 

Smith,  137,  139,  252. 

Smith,  Philip,  134.  238. 

Smith,  Stephen  Reeve  Silver,  164. 

Smith,  Thomas,  rector  of  Cople  Par- 
ish, 51  ;  J/,  52,  53,  54,  74,  74,  75, 
88,  94,  95,  96,  104,  109,  135,  140, 
141,  171,  186,  202,  210,  214,  226, 
234,  238,  239,  preaches  against  the 
abuse  of  slaves,  255  ;  256,  260. 

Smith,  Mrs.  Thomas,  75,  140,  238. 

Smith,  William  Richmond,  letter  to 
Philip  Fithian,  32  ;  notice  of,  J4  ; 
letter  to  Philip  Fithian,  38  ;  40, 
letter  to  Philip  Fithian,  the  college 
commencement,  Princeton,  in  17.73, 
42,  43- 

Snodgrass,  Simon,  15. 

Somerset  County,  N.  J. ,  ^^4. 

Sons  of  America,  96. 

Sons  of  Liberty,  99. 

Sorrel,  246,  247,  255. 

South  Hampton,  N.  Y.,  xiv. 

South  River,  Md.,  153,  273. 

Spottsytvania  County,   Va.,  i4g. 

Sprout,  Miss,  165. 

Stadley,  a  music  teacher,  51  ;  56, 
57,  127,  132,  133,  179,  180,  204, 
205,  207,  228,  229,  248,  251,  266, 
267, 

Stafford  County,  Va.,  98. 

Stafford  County  C.  H.,  Va.,  48. 

Stanhope,  Sally,  92,  no,  134,  171, 
176,  245,  251,  271. 

Steerman,  Miss,  201. 

Steptoe,  140,  171,  259. 

Steptoe,   Thomas,  2jo. 

Steward,  155. 

Stewart,  Anthony,  compelled  by  citi- 
zens of  Annapolis  to  burn  his  brig, 
the  "  Peggy  Stewart,"  273. 

Stockton,  Julia,  227. 

Stockton,  Mary,  7. 

Stockton,  Rachel.  See  Ryley,  Rachel 
Stockton. 

Stockton,,  Richard  [^the  signer),  7. 

Stratford,  Westmoreland  County,  Va., 
xvi,  xvii,  jy,  6j,  66,  home  of 
Philip  Ludwell  Lee,  87  ;  notice  of, 
87 ;  89,  g8,  210,  253,  254. 

Stuart,  House  of,  John  Murray  a 
descendant  of,  gg. 

Susquehanna  River,  47. 

Swedenborg,  Emanuel,  xx. 

Swift's  Works,  231,  253. 


Taliaferro,  Polly,  201. 
Tappahannock,  Va.i   I4g.       See    also 

Hobbes  Hole. 
Tasker,  128. 

Tasker,  Benjamin,  xviii,  102,  ig6. 
Tasker,    Frances   Ann.     See    Carter, 

Frances  Ann  Tasker. 
Tayloc,  xvi. 

Tayloe,  Ann  Corbin,  i4g. 
Tayloe,  Catherine,  149,  i4g,  180,  201, 

220. 
Tayloe,  Eleanor,  i4g. 
Tayloe,  Elizabeth^,  i4g. 
Tayloe,  Elizabeth'^,  i4g. 
Tayloe,  Henry  A.,  xx,  148. 
Tayloe,  Jane,  i4g. 

Tayloe,  John  (of  Mt.  Airy),  54,  notice 
of,  ^4;   g8,    124,    124,    148,    148, 
149,  i4g,  150,   160,    179,   207,   214, 
218,  220,  224,   267. 
Tayloe,  Mary,  i4g. 
Tayloe,  Polly,  149,  180,  201,  220. 
Tayloe,  Rebecca,  g8,  I4g. 
Tayloe,  Rebecca  Plater  (wife  of  John 
Tayloe  of  Mt.  Airy),  124,  124,  125, 
180,  220,  221,  223. 
Tayloe,    Sarah,   notice  of,   147 ;  201, 

220. 
Tayloe,    William,  148. 
Taylor,  87,  103,   112,   138,   144,   172, 

183,  212,  233,  246,  252,  264. 
Taylor's  Ferry,  Va.,  152. 
Templeton,  Harry,  15. 
Thompson,  Dr.,  88,  89,  226,  268. 
Thornton,  Mrs.,  149,  214,  215,  264. 
Tibbs,  Daniel,  2jo. 
ToUiver.     See  Taliaferro. 
Tory,  Society.     See  Cliosophic  Society 

(of  Princeton  College). 
Tour   de    Ville,    original  spelling  of 

Turberville,  141. 
Trenton,  N.  J.,   31,  32,  j4,  go,   122, 

188. 
Tryon,  William,  Governor  of  N.  Y., 
patriots  of  N.  Y.    burn    house   of, 
99;  account  of ,  gg  ;  105. 
Turberville,  xvi,   66,   141,   213,   214, 

264. 
Turberville,  George  (of  Hickory  Hill), 

136. 
Turberville,  George  Richard,  136,  no- 
tice of,  ij6  ;  191. 
Turberville,  John  (of  Hickory  Hill), 
75,    79,    82,    83,  }totice  of,  8j ;  90, 
94,   no,    119,   121,  131,   140,   141, 


INDEX 


319 


143,  171,  177,   181,   i8s,  191,  202, 

225,  228,  236,  255,  258,  259,  265, 
270. 

Turberville,  Lettice  Corbin,  55,  sketch 
of,  55  ,•  60,  139,  142,  1S5,  /(ff,  200, 

226,  250,  263,  265. 
Turberville,    Martha  Corbin  (wife  of 

George  Richard  Turberville),  136, 
notice  of  ,  /  ?6  .■   141,  is 3,  191  ■ 

Turberville,  Martha  Corbin  (wife  of 
John  Turberville),  52,  55,  60,  83, 
140,  142,  19S,  250,  263.  265. 

Turberville,  Martha  Lee  {wife  of 
George  Turberville^,  ij6. 

Turberville,  Sir  Payne,  14.1. 

Tyler,  Lyon  G.,  xx. 

Tyler's  Ferry,  Va.,  170,  271. 

Tyro's  Dictionar)',  55. 

UcoMico   Church.    See   Yeocomico 

Church. 
Union,  The  (newspaper) ,  organ  of  the 

Polk  n:lininistration,  22j. 
Universal  Magazine,  115,  118. 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  xxi,  ijj. 
Upper  Marlborough,   Md.,  153,  169, 

272,  273. 

Van  Doren,  Boyd,  j>6. 

Vickers,  Hannah.  See  Fithian,  Han- 
nah Vickers. 

Virgil,  19,  120,  132,  133,  134. 

Virginia,  xiii,  xiv,  xv,  xvi,  ruins  of 
old  buildings  in  Westmoreland  Coun- 
ty, xvii ;  xviii,  xix,  xx,  35,  37,  40, 
41,  43,  4^,  ji,  hospitality  of  the 
Virginians,  58  ;  59,  70,  private  bury- 
ing grounds  for  the  gentry  upon  their 
estates,  J4  ;  78,  81,  89,  93,  95,  sym- 
pathy for  the  people  of  Massachu- 
setts in  their  patriotic  resistance, 
99  ;  gg,  climate  of,  compared  with 
New  Jersey,  loi  ;  prevalence  of 
diphtheria  ("putrid  quinsy"),  105  ; 
loj,  log,  yellow  ("jail")  fever 
brought  in  a  ship  of  convict  servants 
to.  III  ;  itS,  119,  121,  123,  128, 
135,  hospitality  of  the  people  of, 
142;  145,  149,  150,  152,  156,  160, 
168,  170,  the  fast  to  be  observed, 
on  the  going  into  effect  of  the  Bos- 
ton Port  Bill,  171  ;  feeling  among 
the  lower  classes  in  regard  to  a  war 
with  England,  172  ;  determined 
spirit   to  resist  British  oppression. 


176  ;  185,  188,  i8g,  193,  194,  196, 
observance  of  the  Sabbath,  202  ; 
205,  215,  218,  221,  226,  prevalence 
of  fever,  228  ;  Convention  of  1J74, 
22g ;  229,  ornithology,  232;  2jj, 
Indian  hostilities,  248  ;  battle  of 
Point  Pleasant,  248;  255,  "wis- 
dom and  unity  to  the  conferrences 
now  assembled,"  261  ;  false  im- 
pression concerning  intemperance 
and  impiety  in  Virginia,  266  ;  277, 
278,  279,  the  spirit  of  1774,  280  ; 
customs  and  manners  compared  with 
New  Jersey,  284,  285  ;  wealth  and 
the  division  of  property  in,  com- 
pared with  New  Jersey,  2S6  ;  value 
of  a  college  education,  287  ;  church 
service  a  social  function,  296  ;  the 
reigning  spirit  liberty,  298  ;  delegates 
of,  to  the  Continental  Congress,  joo. 

Virginia  Assembly,  dissolved  by  Gov- 
ernor Dunmore,  171  ;  ///,  non- 
exportation  resolutions,  260  ;  280,  a 
leading  factor  in  the  union  of  the 
colonies,  280  ;  282. 

Virginia  Gazette.  See  Williamsburg 
Gazette. 

Virginia  Historical  Collections,  xx. 

Virginia  Historical  Magazine,  ^4. 

Voorhees,  154,  155. 

Waddell,  James,  account  of,  118; 
sketch  of,  118. 

Wade,  Miss,  224. 

Wadman,  234,  240. 

Wakefield,  Westmoreland  Co.,  Va., 
xvii. 

Walker,  54,  56. 

Walker,  Capt.,  51,  57,  61,  140,  234, 
254.  265. 

Wall,  the  comedian,  154. 

Ward,  Dr.,  36,  155,  156. 

Ward,  James,  165. 

Ward,  Mrs.,  156,  162. 

Warden,  82,  121,  176,  233,  234. 

Warder,  140. 

Ware,  156. 

Ware,  Rachel,  156. 

Warwick,  Md.,  155,  168,  274. 

Washington,  xvi,  179,  268. 

Washington,  George,  ji,  95,  1  ij,  i8j. 
delegate  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress, joo. 

Washington,  Jane,  88,  notice  of,  88 ; 
139.  183,  i8j,  Fithian's  description 


320 


INDEX 


of,    184  ;   185.    186,    199,   201,   214, 

236,  261. 
Washington,  John  Augfustine  (of  Bush- 
field),  74,  74,  88.  88,  108,  /oc?,  jog, 

131,  134,  142,   173,   183,  203,  206, 

210,  238,  262. 
Washington,  Miss,  152. 
Washington,    Hannah   Bushrod  (wife 

of  J.  A.  Washington  of  Bushfield), 

139,  notice  of ,  rjg;  i8j,  264. 
Washington,  William  Augustine,  88, 

i4g,  183. 
Washington,  D.  C,  7. 
Watts'  Logic,  258. 
Wayne,  Anthony,  ib^. 
Webster,  Althee,  166. 
Webster,     Peletiah,     234,     letter     of 

Philip  Fithian,  to,  298,  299  ;  sketch 

of,  2q8 ;  299. 
Webster,  Ruth,  166,  234. 
Well  Meaning    Club,    jj ;    see    also 

Cliosophic    Society    (of   Princeton 

College). 
West   Indies,   students   at    Princeton 

College  from,  16. 
West,  153. 

Westminster  Abbey,  England,  iij. 
Westmoreland  County,  Va.,  xvi,  ruins 

of  old  ?nansions  in,  xvii  ;  xx,  jj, 

47,    53.   60,  82,   g4,   g8,    128,    i4g, 

IS2,  ig8,  278,  296. 
Westmoreland    County    C.    H.,   Va., 

no,   152,   170,  215,  233,  239,   255. 

261,  261,  271. 
Wheatley,  John,  i ly . 
Wheatley,  Phillis,  W],  sketch  of,  i if  ; 

Fithian's  opinion  of  her  writings, 

118  ;  verses  of,  119. 
Whig  Society.     See  American  Whig 

Society- 
White  Plains,  battle  of,  xv. 
Whitehead,  W.,  39,  jg. 
William   III,   King  of  England,   6, 

grants    charter    for     William    and 

Mary  College,  106. 
William  and  Mary  College,  Va.,  xx, 

70,    badly  directed    in    1774,    106; 

Atheism   and  dissipation    at,    106; 

wealth  of,  107  ;  yearly  expense  of  a 

student  at,  in  1774,  107. 
William    of   Normandy    ( The    Con- 
queror), 141. 


Williams,  John  Rogers,  xxi. 

Williamsburg,  Virginia,  xviii,  52,  59, 
59,  65,  72,  78,  88,  106,  106,  113, 
127,  128,  149,  150,  176,  177,  187, 
198,  233,  262,  263,  265,  278,  281, 
107. 

Willing,  Thomas,  148,  notice  of,  148. 

Willis,  Elizabeth  Carter,  jo. 

Willis,  Harry,  commences  school  un- 
der Philip  Fithian,  50  ;  67,  68,  72, 
character  and  disposition,  84  ;  86, 
87,  91,  93,  97,  99,  100,  102,  103, 
105,  107,  114,  119,  122,  130,  132, 
134.  I37>  140,  173,  176,  182,  183, 
188,  196,  197,  198,  206,  212,  213, 
215,  217,  218,  229,  233,  240,  241, 
243,  246,  247,  characteristic  traits. 
253  ;  262,  264,  265,  269,  278,  letter 
of  Philip  Fithian,  to,  301,  302. 

Wilmington,  Del.,  162. 

Wilson,  Lewis  Fuielleteau,  22,  sketch 

of,  22. 
Wirt,    Williatn,  118. 

Witherspoon,  John,  President  of 
Princeton  College,  8  ;  his  sermons, 
9  ;  22,  28,  account  of  his  lectures, 
29,  2g ;  J/,  35,  j6,  37,  letter  of 
Philip  Fithian,  to,  40  ;  41,  42,  80, 
81,  go,  142,  letter  of  Robert  Carter, 
to,  147  ;  150,  sketch  of,  Jjo  ;  166, 
282,  wide  reputation,  290. 

Woddel.     See  Waddell,  James. 

Wolfe,   James,    monument    in   West- 
minster, 115;  iij,  116. 
Woodbury,  N.  J.,  xv. 
Wormeley,  Elizabeth,  200. 
Wormeley,  Judith,  igi. 

Wormly,  Ralph,  i4g. 

Wyandot  Indians,  campaign  against, 

in  1774,  248. 
Wythe,  George,  xix. 

Yale  College,  Conn.,  2g8. 
Yeocomico     Church,     Westmoreland 

Co.,  Va.,  xvii,    51,   account  of  ji  ; 

60,    140,    151,    174,    181,   211,    229, 

238,  251,  259,  265. 
Yeocomico  River,   Va.,  59,   60,    122, 

124,  141. 
Yew   Spring,    Caroline  Co.,   Va.,  seat 

of  Gawin  Corbin,  ij8 ;  2^0. 


